Chicago Firm Recalls Oil-Filled Heaters

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A Chicago company is recalling about 70,000 oil-filled electric heaters because the welds can rupture, spewing hot oil that can burn people nearby, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said Wednesday.

Lakewood Engineering & Mfg. Co. has received 28 reports of incidents _ one report of a burn injury from the expelled oil. Another 14 heaters with ruptured welds have been returned to Lakewood.

The recalled heaters are portable electric radiator-style heaters with six fins, one of which has the control panel attached to it. 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 Underwriters Laboratories' label on the lower right side of the control panel.

The heaters, made in the United States, were sold at retailers nationwide, including Wal-Mart and Ace Hardware, from August 2004 through November 13, 2004 for $34-$40.

Consumers should immediately stop using these heaters, unplug them and contact Lakewood to determine if their heater is part of the recall. Lakewood will provide a free replacement heater to each consumer whose heater is recalled. Consumers can contact Lakewood at 888-858-3506 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. CST Monday through Friday for more information.