Hearth Record

CPSC, DESA Heating Products Announce Recall of Compact Gas Fireplaces

Home product recall 05-238. Announced by CPSC on Aug 2, 2005.

  • CPSC: stop using it
CPSC’s own notice, on cpsc.gov

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The short answer

Announced by CPSC on Aug 2, 2005. Copied from CPSC on Oct 19, 2026.

Every line below is in CPSC’s own words, with its source beside it.

What’s wrong with it?

The burner tube connection to the gas valve can leak gas when the main burner is on. This leaking gas can ignite, causing a minor flare-up, which could cause nearby combustibles to ignite.

Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.

What should you do?

Consumers should stop using this fireplace immediately and contact your retailer to schedule a free repair. If consumers have any questions concerning this recall, they should contact their local retailer or DESA.

Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.

  • How to reach the firm: Contact DESA toll-free at (866) 279-3225 between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the DESA Web site at www.desatech.com

Which ones are recalled?

The recall includes DESA Heating Products 10,000 Btu Thermostatically Controlled Compact Classic Hearth Fireplaces that burn propane or natural gas. They have the following model names and number: Vanguard (VMH10TPC & VMH10TNC) and FMI (EFS10TPA & EFS10TNA). They have serial numbers between 015200000 and 017400000. The model and serial numbers are on the end of the shipping carton and on the model data tags inside the lower access door of the compact fireplaces.

534 units, as CPSC gives them.

Vanguard and “FMI” Compact Fireplaces.

Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.

CPSC’s photos

CPSC shows 2 photos on its notice. Hearth Record doesn’t copy them; each opens on cpsc.gov.

Who made and sold it?

  • Made by DESA Heating Products, Bowling Green, Ky.
  • Hearth shops, central heat and air conditioning retailers and gas suppliers nationwide, from April 2004 through June 2005, for between $639 and $912.
  • Made in United States, as the notice gives it.
Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.

Was anyone hurt?

DESA has received one report of a minor flare-up of the fireplace. DESA has received no reports of personal injury or property damage.

Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.

What the record doesn’t say

  • The notice lists no UPCs, so check the model, the description and the photos.
  • The notice lists no model numbers in a field of their own; its description may give them.
  • How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Source:

Hearth Record wrote these lines.

Sources

  • U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Recalls API.

    Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work). CPSC asks to be credited, and that no endorsement be implied.

Source:

Recalls of kids’ and home products are from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). CPSC does not endorse Hearth Record. Copied on Oct 19, 2026.

How to read a record

Four things every record does, shown on an example record made up for this guide.

An example record, made up for this guide

An example nursing home

Made up for this guide: no real place is shown

Not fully inspected in over two years (CMS flag)

11 health citations at the latest inspection cycle

The state average is 14.3.

Source:

CMS, State and US Averages and Health Deficiencies. Released Oct 8, 2026. Updated monthly.

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