Consumer Reports warns space heater flunks safety test
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Electric space heaters are a cheap way to chase away the chills, and they don't come much cheaper than the $25 Optimus H-5210 sold at major retailers like Amazon, Sears, and Walmart.
But it was the only electric heater in Consumer Reports' tests of 19 models that set their test cloth on fire.
They contacted Optimus, and test results it sent back also showed a potential safety problem with this model. It claims to have fixed the problem on 2012 models. But Consumer Reports bought our heaters, 2011 models, in early summer, and there is no way to tell the model year from the box.
In Consumer Reports tests of space heaters, they put terry cloth over a heater to see whether its sensor shuts it off before it overheats. Though manufacturers, including Optimus, warn against placing heaters near flammable materials, they think it could easily happen in a typical home.
They've judged the Optimus H-5210 a "Don't Buy: Safety Risk" as a result and are asking the Consumer Product Safety Commission to recall it. If you own this model, stop using it and ask the retailer for a refund.
Better recall electric stove tops too. They will catch the same cloth on fire. What's the difference?
All those who are 'poo pooing' these tests, I'm guessing you didn't learn much about reading comprehension. This was the ONLY one tested that started on fire in their testing. Most people do understand that you can't lay things over top of a space heater. But think about it, you've got a kid who is sleeping in a cold bedroom. You try to make him more comfortable by using a space heater, using precautions, such as not putting it next to drapery. The kid kicks off the top blanket while sleeping, it ends up on the floor near the space heater. It doesn't go up in flames, and when you go in to his room in the morning, you realize how close you came to disaster. Will you be glad that the government put some requirements upon those who manufactured the space heater and tested it to make sure it would'nt burn your kid to death? I know that I would certainly be thankful for government regulations that protect me and my family, and that hold manufacturers accountable to make sure their products are safe.
(OWNERS MANUAL)
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Page 1:Â Do not place a large towel over the heater.
Page 2:Â For the love of God...DO NOT PLACE A LARGE TOWEL OVER THE DAMN HEATER!!!!!
I say we need a ban on space heaters, because they can kill you. {sarcasm} But really people if you havenât learned for 80 years of history that if you cover a heater with something it is very likely going to catch on fire, if you donât know that or havenât figured it out this may not be the product for you!
This is like saying lighters failed safety tests because "when I tried to light my clothes on fire, they caught fire!" How about personal responsibility and common sense. If you don't have any of that then you shouldn't own a space heater.Â
 @FremontTroll Common sense is gone we live in "Idiocracy" now where hot coffee means it might be hot if it is I can sue cause it WAS hot and I got burned.
This isn't a fail. If you place a piece of cloth on a space heater I would expect it to catch fire. I'll buy this. At least I know it works. I'll take the safety part into my own hands. Don't need the government or any other organization to tell me something that is just simple common sense.Â