By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-06-08 18:27:53 | Updated at 2026-06-09 02:43:46
8 hours ago
A popular household appliance sold at Costco and other major retailers is being urgently recalled after reports it overheated, burst into flames and even left one person suffering from smoke inhalation.
Federal safety regulators have warned consumers to stop using the affected heaters immediately after more than 255,000 units were linked to a growing number of dangerous incidents.
The recall affects Vornado SRTH Small Room Tower Heaters, which were sold at Costco, Kohl's, Bed Bath & Beyond, ACE Hardware, Amazon and directly through Vornado for more than a decade.
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall after receiving 32 reports of overheating, including eight fires and one smoke inhalation incident.
According to safety officials, a defect inside the heater can cause the fan blade to detach from the motor shaft. When this happens, the fan can slow down or stop completely, causing the unit to overheat.
In some cases, internal components melted and ignited, creating a serious fire risk inside homes.
Costco has already alerted members who purchased the heater, warning that the issue could cause melted internal parts to breach the unit's outer casing if built-in safety mechanisms fail to activate quickly enough.
'The fan blade can detach from the motor shaft, which can cause a stopped fan condition, leading to overheating and melting of the enclosure and internal parts,' Costco said in its recall notice.
The recall affects Vornado SRTH Small Room Tower Heaters, which were sold at Costco, Kohl's, Bed Bath & Beyond, ACE Hardware, Amazon and directly through Vornado
'Melted internal parts can ignite and breach the enclosure if the thermal cut off or fuse does not timely activate, posing a fire hazard.'
The recalled heaters were sold between August 2013 and May 2026 for between $40 and $50.
Costco specifically sold the product between August 2013 and January 2017 under item number 1002889 and UPC 43765008478.
The affected heaters were available in both black and white and measure approximately 12.5 inches tall and six inches in diameter.
Consumers can identify the recalled product by checking the silver label on the bottom of the heater, where the model designation 'TYPE SRTH' is printed.
The word 'Vornado' appears prominently on the front of each unit. The heater has two heat settings - low and high - along with a fan-only mode.
Vornado, which imported the products from China, is offering customers a full refund.
Costco has already alerted members who purchased the heater, warning that the issue could cause melted internal parts to breach the unit's outer casing if built-in safety mechanisms fail to activate quickly enough
Consumers will first need to stop using the heater immediately and contact the company for instructions on submitting photographs of the product and proof that it has been destroyed.
The company said customers should not continue using the heater while waiting for a refund.
Anyone who owns one of the affected units can contact Vornado's recall team toll-free at 844-205-7978 during business hours or visit the company's recall website for additional instructions.
The recall serves as the latest reminder of the potential dangers posed by faulty heating appliances, which are among the leading causes of residential fires during colder months.
Fortunately, no deaths have been reported in connection with the defective heaters, although safety officials are urging consumers not to take any chances.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission: 'The recalled heater's fan blade can detach from the motor shaft, which can cause the fan to slow or stop, leading to overheating and melting of the enclosure and internal parts.'
The agency added: 'Melted internal parts can ignite and breach the enclosure if the thermal cut off or fuse does not timely activate, posing a fire hazard.'
