Sales of portable space heaters start to take off this time of year. But be aware, space
heaters can be dangerous. They cause around 1,700 house fires a year and some 70
deaths.
Consumer Reports just tested 19 portable electric heaters and checked to make sure
they have adequate safeguards. One test assesses whether the overheat sensor shuts
the heater off before it poses a fire risk.
With the Optimus H-5210 space heater, the sensor did not activate in time. The test
fabric caught fire in a matter of minutes. The Optimus H-5210 also failed a second test
where a folded cloth simulates a drape placed on it. Like most heaters, the Optimus
carries a warning: “Risk of fire — keep combustible materials, such as furniture, paper,
clothes and curtains at least three feet … away ...”
Consumer Reports says that drapes and fabrics can easily contact any heater in a
typical home. And this is the only electric heater to ignite the fabric in its tests. Because
of the potential risk of fire, Consumer Reports judges the Optimus Model H-5210 heater
a Don’t Buy: Safety Risk.
Consumer Reports contacted Optimus and test results the company provided show a
potential safety problem with the H-5210 heater. A spokesperson says the company has
fixed models manufactured for 2012. The heaters Consumer Reports tested — 2011
models — were purchased earlier this summer.
Consumer Reports is asking the Consumer Product Safety Commission to recall the
Optimus H-5210. It urges anyone who owns he heater to stop using it and ask the
retailer for a refund.
