With cold temperatures sweeping the nation, many turn to space heaters for warmth. However, a recent recall of over 7,000 Vornado space heaters sold on Amazon highlights the potential risks. Here’s everything you need to know about what the recall involves and how to stay safe with space heaters. 

Life

Massive Recall: 541,000 Snow Tires Pulled for Insufficient Winter Traction

With winter weather around the corner, many drivers are preparing for snowy and icy roads—but not all snow tires are up to the task. Prinx Chengshan Tire North America (PCTNA) has announced a massive snow tire recall involving nearly 541,000 tires due to insufficient traction in severe winter conditions. Here’s everything you need to know […]

Details on Amazon’s Vornado space heater recall 

On January 16, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) posted a recall for a group of Vornado Air space heaters called the VH2 Whole Room Heaters. An estimated 7,780 units of the product were sold on Amazon from August to October 2024.

The reason for the recall is “the power cord can partially detach from the heater enclosure, which can lead to cord damage over time, posing electric shock and fire hazards,” reads the advisory.

No incidents or injuries have been reported, however, so this seems to be a precautionary measure.

What to do if your Vornado heater is part of the Amazon recall

If you’re unsure if you purchased one of the heaters in question, take a closer look at yours. Those that are recalled have the following characteristics:

1.   A “JUL24” or “AUG24” date code
2.   The phrase “TYPE VH2” printed on the silver rating label on the heater’s underside
3.   Off-white color
4.   Thermostatic temperature control
5.   Two heat settings
6.   Automatic or continuous fan operation
7.   A printed “Vornado” with a red “V” behind it on the front of the heater

However, even if you purchased a VH2 Whole Room Heater from the company, it is not part of the recall unless it has the above date code.

Wellness

Costco Cold Medicine Recalled for Safety Concerns

Keeping cold and flu medicine on hand is common for many households this time of year. Having it stocked means someone can ease symptoms in a flash should they get sick. But one medication that was sold at Costco may do more harm than good if you have it tucked away in your medicine cabinet. […]

 If you do have one of those products, you should stop using the recalled heater immediately to avoid any further risk. Then contact Vornado to confirm you have one of the recalled heaters and the company will provide instructions on how you can receive a replacement.

• Email:  vh2recall@vornado.com
• Phone: 844-205-7978 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday
• Website: Visit Vornado.com and click on “Product Recalls”

Common space heater hazards to watch out for

Though the recall was due to a manufacturing error, it’s no secret that space heaters can be quite dangerous when not used properly. In fact, the CPSC estimated that the portable heaters resulted in 1,700 fires, 70 deaths and 160 injuries annually from 2017 to 2019.

Here are some of the most common space heater hazards to watch out for:

Accidental fires

Placing space heaters too close to combustible materials like furniture, bedding, or drapes can cause them to ignite. Another potential fire starter is plugging an electric space heater into an extension cord or power strip, which can overload it.

For safe use, keep heaters at least three feet away from those flammable materials and only plug them directly into a wall outlet.

Carbon monoxide poisoning

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, there are two types of combustion small space heaters: vented and unvented (“vent free”). Unvented aren’t recommended for indoor use because there’s a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and they can gather unwanted nitrogen oxide in the home, which can cause respiratory problems. (Most states have banned unvented kerosene heaters, while California and other cities around the country banned unvented natural gas heaters.)

If you’re buying a portable gas heater, look for sealed combustion or “100% outdoor air” units. They’re safer than other types because they do not draw in the heated air from a room and exhaust it to the outdoors. Instead, they have a duct to bring outside air into the combustion chamber. (Having a carbon monoxide detector in your home is also a good idea!)

Electric shock

Most portable heaters don’t have a GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) plug, which helps to prevent electrical shock. For this reason, it’s important to avoid using one near a water source in your house (like a kitchen sink or a bathroom). You’ll also want to avoid touching the heater when you’re wet.

Finally, for any type of heater, never use it unattended. Turn off the unit and unplug it whenever you leave a room or go to bed. This ensures you can safely enjoy a cozy, heated room.