Where There’s Heat, There Could be Fire and Injury

Heat-producing electric appliances like space heaters, dryers and work lights injure thousands of Americans each year, sometimes leading to death.  Despite the safeguards required by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), defective products are sold every day in this country and discovered only after leading a family emotionally and financially devastated.

Take the case of one of my clients, Hilario Zamarripa , 46, of Dallas, TX. The faulty Husky brand work light he was using on a job in 2007, ignited paint fumes, which exploded, burning him severely over 20% of his body. He could not work as a painter again to support his family.  Two other workers were injured in a similar accident in Galveston, TX last year. They were seriously burned when their work light set off an explosion at their work place.

Work lights are meant to be used at work sites. Work sites contain flammable products and fumes.  Manufacturers are legally responsible for ensuring that their products are safe when used in a reasonable manner for the job intended.  And they are liable for any injuries or deaths caused when their products fail to meet reasonable safety standards, as in the above burn cases.

Recalled heater fan

Space heaters are another problem product.  Wal-Mart recently recalled 2.2 million such heaters after receiving reports of 21 injuries and property damage. In February, the CPSC announced the recall of about  92,000  heater fans and radiant heaters sold by Dollar General because of fire hazards.  The CPSC reports that space heaters cause some 25,000 fires every year in the U.S., killing 300 people and sending another 6,000 to emergency rooms.

Fires caused by overheating clothes dryers cause 12,700 fires in residential buildings each year, resulting in 15 deaths and 300 injuries, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.

Product -related fires are reported to the CPSC, which investigates. Sometimes a product is recalled. Lawsuits also help bring the defective product to the attention of

the manufacturers and retailers, which may lead to a safer product design. But the process is slow.  Meanwhile, the defective products stay on the market.

Consumers now have a terrific new tool to check out the safety history of products they own or are thinking about buying. Starting March 11, the public will be able to access reports made to the government about dangerous or defective consumer products.  This powerful new online tool at www.saferproducts.gov will allow regular people like you and me to see if other people have experienced safety or performance issues with a product before they buy it.

Radiant heater

Just remember, where there’s heat involved in an electrical tool or appliance, there could be fire.  For your own safety and your family’s future, check out all instructions and warning labels before use.