• soleil fan heater

It is important for a heating or cooling device to be made of materials that can withstand dramatic temperature changes. If a heating device is made of materials that melt while it works, it could pose a fire hazard that is harmful for a consumer. In May, Family Dollar Stores had to recall about 19,640 Optimus Tower Quartz heaters due to a fire hazard caused by the units overheating. This month another large retailer, The Home Depot, is recalling approximately 107,000 Soleil portable fan heaters due to materials that could pose a fire hazard for the consumer.

According to the CPSC, the fan heaters are encased in plastic that “can melt, deform and catch fire during use, posing a fire hazard.” To date, Home Depot has received 464 incident reports of the materials on the fan melting. The company has not received any reports of injuries or property damage, though.

From September 2012 to May 2013, the portable fan heaters were sold at Home Depot stores nationwide for about $15. The fans are circular, composed of white plastic and are 1500 watts. The dimensions of the fans are 8 inches by 8.5 inches. The word “Soleil,” which is French for sun, is printed on the front of the fan. On the underside of the fan, the model number LH-707 is printed on a sticker. Additionally, the fans have thermostat, power and speed controls.

The CPSC urges consumers to stop using the portable fan heaters and return them to the nearest Home Depot store for a full refund. Home Depot can be contacted at 877-527-0313 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET any day. Home Depot also posts information about recalled products on its website, www.homedepot.com, under the “Product Recalls” tab on the bottom of the home page.