As temperatures drop you might be tempted to plug in your old heater so it's important to take note of this recall.
Canadian Tire is voluntarily recalling its Patton Utility Heater over concerns some have a defect that causes it to overheat. That can cause the unit to melt and smoke. The heaters were sold nationwide from September 2008 through June 2009.
Units affected by the recall have date codes ranging from A186DH through A322DH printed on their plug. They are also missing a round green sticker on the silver label on the back. If the sticker is there it means the units are not affected by the recall. There have been no reported injuries but if you've got one, Canadian tire says you should stop using it and take it back to the store for a refund.
Generally space heaters are safe if used correctly. We often hear about a heater linked to a fire but often it's nothing to do with a faulty heater -it's just used improperly. Here are some tips from the Consumer Product Safety Commission:
- Never put any heater near curtains or wood furniture.
- Never put a forced air unit directly on carpeting.
- Don't leave it unattended for long periods.
- Keep three feet of free space around your heater
And if you're using an older heater, check intake vents for lint and clean them. Also, look at the electrical cords to make sure the plastic casing isn't worn. And remember many of the units should not be plugged into an extension cord because they draw too much power. Finally it's always a good idea to re-read your owner's manual to make sure you're using the unit as directed.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Chris Olsen
