Hearth Record

True Value Portable Electric Heaters Recalled

Home product recall 87-079. Announced by CPSC on Dec 16, 1987.

CPSC’s own notice, on cpsc.gov

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The short answer

Announced by CPSC on Dec 16, 1987. 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?

Electrocution/Electric Shock

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?

True Value Portable Electric Heaters Recalled NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 16, 1987 Release # 87-079 350 True Value Portable Electric Heaters Recalled WASHINGTON, DC - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the General Power Equipment Company, Harvard, Illinois, today announced the recall of approximately 350 model MH21F and MH22F True Value brand portable electric heaters, manufacured after September 22, 1987. Although no incidents have been reported, many of these heaters will present a severe electric shock hazard after a limited period of use. The company learned that a fan motor failure in these heaters could cause the element coils to overheat, sag, and contact the metal housing. The warning signs of heater failure include a clattering, clanking, or other unusual sound from the fan, failure of the heater to blow air, element coils changing color from black to red, and sagging coils. Suspect model MH21F and MH22F True Value brand heaters have been sold nationally only at True Value Hardware Stores since September 23, 1987, for about $30 to $45. The heaters are brown rectangular upright metal space heaters, and are rated at 1500 watts. The recalled heaters are date coded as 13F and 15F for the MH21F model, and as 11F and 17F for the MH22F model. The model number and date code are labeled on the back of each heater in the lower left corner. Owners who identify their heater as recalled should immediately discontinue use and return it to the nearest True Value Hardware store for a full refund. Owners who are unable to return their heater should contact the nearest True Value Hardware store for further instructions.

True Value portable electric heaters.

Source:

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

Who made and sold it?

  • Made by General Power Equipment.
  • Made by True Value Hardware.
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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