Hearth Record

Air Damper Systems Repaired by Chim-A-Lator

Home product recall 79-063. Announced by CPSC on Nov 6, 1979.

CPSC’s own notice, on cpsc.gov

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The short answer

Announced by CPSC on Nov 6, 1979. 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?

Burn - Not Fire-Related

Source:

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

What should you do?

The notice gives no remedy in a field of its own.

Source:

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

Which ones are recalled?

Air Damper Systems Repaired by Chim-A-Lator NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 6, 1979 Release # 79-063 Repair Program Set For Energy Saving Device WASHINGTON, D.C. (Nov.6)-- The Chim-A-Lator Company, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, has announced a voluntary program to modify approximately 15,000 air damper systems for fireplaces and wood-burning stoves. The announcement was made in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Excessively hot chimney temperatures could cause the air damper to close unexpectedly and force smoke or flames back into the room. According to the company, such a heat build-up is caused primarily by overfueling fireplaces, burning dangerous materials, or failing to have the chimney cleaned. Since 1977, the firm has received a report of one minor burn injury, which occurred when the damper closed accidentally. The damper systems, which have been manufactured since 1969, are marketed as energy-saving devices to reduce heat loss from air drawn up fireplace and stove chimneys when not in use. The company is offering a device, which consumers can install themselves, which will ensure that the damper maintains an adequate opening even in extreme temperatures. Consumers can obtain this free device by writing to the Chim- A-Lator Company, 8824 Wentworth Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55420, telephone: 612/884-7274. The devices will be available after December 1, but consumers should write to the company immediately.

Chim-A-Lator fireplace and wood-burning stove air damper systems.

Source:

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

Who made and sold it?

  • Made by Chim-A-Lator.
Source:

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

Was anyone hurt?

The notice doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.

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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