April
3, 2002
Lakewood
Engineering & Manufacturing Co., of Chicago, Ill., is voluntarily recalling
about 107,000 electric heaters. The electrical connections inside of the heater
can become loose, causing the heater's metal frame to become energized. This
poses a serious electric shock hazard to consumers.
The recalled electric heaters have
model numbers 797 or 797 DFT, which is stamped on the back of the unit. The
Model 797, which is painted white, and the Model 797 DFT, which is painted
gray, has a control panel with temperature and wattage selections. The rounded,
metal units also have the word, "/////Lakewood" printed on the
control panel. Retailers nationwide, including Wal-Mart and Kmart, sold the
heaters between October 2000 and February 2002 for about $30.
Consumers should immediately stop using these heaters, unplug them, and
contact Lakewood at (888) 858-3506 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through
Friday to receive a free repair or replacement. Lakewood will provide consumers
with instructions as to how to return the heaters to the company free of
charge. For more information, consumer can log on to the company's website at http://www.lakewoodeng.com/recall_797_01.htm.