WASHINGTON, D.C. – THE U.S. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION, IN COOPERATION WITH THE FIRM NAMED BELOW, TODAY ANNOUNCED A VOLUNTARY RECALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONSUMER PRODUCT. CONSUMERS SHOULD STOP USING RECALLED PRODUCTS IMMEDIATELY UNLESS OTHERWISE INSTRUCTED.
NAME OF PRODUCT: REMOTE CONTROL KITS FOR ELECTRIC FIREPLACES AND STOVES
UNITS: ABOUT 700,000
IMPORTER: DIMPLEX NORTH AMERICA, OF ONTARIO, CANADA
HAZARD: THE PLUG-IN WALL UNIT CAN OVERHEAT, POSING A FIRE AND BURN HAZARD TO CONSUMERS.
INCIDENTS/INJURIES: DIMPLEX HAS RECEIVED ABOUT 5,000 REPORTS OF THE PLUG-IN WALL UNITS OVERHEATING INCLUDING 19 REPORTS OF DAMAGE BEYOND THE REMOTE CONTROL AND ONE REPORT OF A HOUSE FIRE IN COLUMBUS, OHIO THAT RESULTED IN CONSIDERABLE PROPERTY DAMAGE.
DESCRIPTION: THE RECALLED REMOTE CONTROL KITS ARE USED WITH DIMPLEX, ELECTRAFLAME, SYMPHONY, OPTIFLAME, ELECTRALOG AND CHARMGLOW BRAND ELECTRIC FIREPLACES, STOVES AND FIREPLACE INSERTS. THEY INCLUDE A BLACK OR DARK GRAY HAND-HELD REMOTE CONTROL AND ALSO A BLACK OR DARK GRAY WALL UNIT THAT PLUGS INTO AN ELECTRICAL WALL OUTLET. RECALLED MODEL NUMBERS INCLUDE 47-1001, 47-1010-R AND APT-1315. THE MODEL NUMBER IS PRINTED ON EITHER THE PLUG-IN UNIT OR THE HAND-HELD REMOTE CONTROL. THE FIREPLACE OR STOVE’S BRAND NAME IS PRINTED ON BOTH UNITS.
SOLD AT: MASS MERCHANDISE, HOME IMPROVEMENT, SPECIALTY FIREPLACE AND FURNITURE RETAILERS FROM JANUARY 1998 THROUGH DECEMBER 2008 FOR BETWEEN $200 AND $1,500 FOR THE FIREPLACES AND STOVES. THIS RECALL INCLUDES REMOTE CONTROL KITS SUBSEQUENTLY REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY.
MANUFACTURED IN: CHINA
REMEDY: CONSUMERS SHOULD IMMEDIATELY STOP USING THE REMOTE CONTROL KITS, UNPLUG THE POWER CORD FROM THE REMOTE CONTROL KIT’S WALL UNIT, REMOVE THE WALL UNIT FROM THE ELECTRICAL OUTLET AND CONTACT DIMPLEX FOR A FREE REPLACEMENT KIT. CONSUMERS CAN CONTINUE TO OPERATE THE FIREPLACE OR STOVE BY PLUGGING THE FIREPLACE OR STOVE’S ELECTRICAL CORD DIRECTLY INTO AN ELECTRICAL OUTLET.
CONSUMER CONTACT: FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT DIMPLEX NORTH AMERICA TOLL-FREE AT (866) 673-9880 ANYTIME, OR VISIT THE FIRM’S WEB SITE AT WWW.RECALL.DIMPLEX.COM
  | LABEL ON MODEL APT-1315 | |
LABEL ON MODEL 47-1010R         | 47-1001 |
my remote control kit has the model #, but I can not find the date code .
After checking my plug I could not unplug it from my receiver as it has already melted to receiver SERIOUS DAMAGE has already been done to electrical cord.My $800 fireplace is useless now as there is no electrical plug.
Our unit had the same symptoms described in the recall. No damage to the surroundings, but the remote switch was ‘stuck’ to the plug going to the fireplace.
We made out a claim some weeks ago but to date we have not been contacted or the correct components forwarded. We have tried to make a complaint but it seems the web site does not connect and the claim form site has no way of making contact. We don’t have much response from the telephone number as it leads to a robot that finally cancells.
Perhaps they are having conflicts from China down.
It is an absorbing and informational article. It has been very helpful in understanding of varied things. I’m sure a lot of people will share my point of view.