A couple of home furnishing products recalled this month affect thousands of consumers, as reported on AboutLawsuits.com. Here’s a heads-up if you own either a Honeywell portable electric heater or a Big Lots floor lamp.
The Honeywell recall affects about 19,000 Surround Select portable electric heaters. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), their internal housing (the fan, heating element and circuitry) can detach, exposing consumers to a burn hazard. So far, no injuries have been reported.
The heaters were sold at Best Buy, Meijer and Wal-Mart stores nationwide last year for $50 to $70. Consumers who have these heaters should stop using them immediately, unplug them and can contact the manufacturer, Kaz USA, Inc., for a full refund. Call Kaz at (800) 370-8137 or visit its website for recall information.
The CPSC recalled the floor lamps after Big Lots receives at least four reports of melting lampshades. No injuries have been reported, but there’s a consumer hazard that the 40-watt bulbs might generate too much heat in the 43,700 lamps sold.
Also, the wiring in the light socket can become exposed, posing a risk of being shocked.
The recall affects Classic Quarters Five Light Floor Lamps. The lamps are about five feet tall and feature five adjustable lights mounted on flexible tubes. Some have dark plastic shades while others are multicolored.
The lamps were sold exclusively at Big Lots stores nationwide from April 2010 through November 2011 for $30 to $50.
If you have one, stop using it immediately. Return it to a Big Lots store for a full refund. You can also call Big Lots at (866) 244-5687. Its website does not appear to have information about the recall.
