Lakewood Engineering and Manufacturing Company of Chicago, IL, has announced a voluntary recall of its Model 5101 oil-filled electric radiator heaters, in voluntary cooperation with the USCSPC. The heaters have welds that can rupture, expelling hot oil that can burn consumers. Lakewood is aware of 28 reports of incidents, including one burn injury from spewing oil. An additional 14 heaters with ruptured welds have been returned to Lakewood.

The recalled heaters, Model 5101, are portable electric radiator-style heaters with six fins, one of which has the control panel attached. The units are grayish-white in color and have the name “Lakewood” printed below the handle indentation on the control panel. The model number “5101” is printed on the UL label on the lower right side of the control panel.

Heaters were sold at retailers nationwide such as Wal-Mart and Ace Hardware from August 2004 through November 2004 for between $34 and $40. Consumers should immediately stop using these heaters, unplug them, and contact Lakewood to determine if their unit is part of this recall. If it is, Lakewood will provide a free replacement heater. Call Lakewood toll-free at 1-888-858-3506 Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST for more information.