Here in sunny Florida, we’re still enjoying the warm weather. But weather forecasters say this winter may prove an exceptionally cold one, even for residents of the Sunshine State. So, when temperatures drop, many homeowners likely will fire up their gas heaters. If yours was made my Hearth & Home Technologies, take note.
The Lakeville, MN-based company is considered the world’s leading producer and installer of heart product and is famous for many firsts in the heating industry, including offering the first air circulating fireplaces back in 1927. But several recent products now are being recalled for potential gas leak and fire hazards. Multiple models of the company’s natural or propane gas fireplaces, gas stoves, gas inserts and log sets all feature a gas valve that can leak, posing a potentially dangerous risk to homeowners and their families.
Approximately 20,000 units from the company’s Hearth & Home Technologies®, Heat-N-Glo®, Heatilator®, Outdoor Lifestyles® and Quadra Fire® brands are affected. They were sold by fireplace retailers from May 2014 through July 2014 for between $1,200 and $8,000. Recalled units include:
- Hearth & Home Technologies indoor fireplaces with serial numbers 0023793235 through 0023822923 and GA1851161 through GA1851706
- Hearth & Home Technologies gas log sets with serial numbers 0023797015 through 0023812111, 1126-3481 and 65174612130
- Heat-N-Glo Indoor fireplaces, stoves and inserts with serial numbers 0023791818 through 0023823238
- Heatilator indoor gas fireplaces and inserts with serial numbers 0023792110 through 0023823125, 0023742749, 0023826583, 0023798I69 and 00238012326.
- Outdoor Lifestyles outdoor gas fireplaces with serial numbers OD18710 through OD18934 and 0023792647 through 0023822308
- Quadra Fire indoor gas stoves and inserts with serial numbers 0023792636 through 0023822725
Fortunately no injuries related to the defect have been reported, but safety officials and product liability attorneys warn that any potential gas or fire related hazard carries serious health and financial risk. If you own one of the recalled units, stop using it immediately and turn off the gas supply. If no related injuries have occurred, contact the retailer who sold you the product to arrange for a free-of-charge inspection and valve replacement. If an injury or illness has occurred, get medical treatment immediately, keep the unit intact as it may be needed for evidence in a product liability case and contact Todd E. Copeland & Associates at 407-999-8995.
