Optimus recalls portable electric heaters

Optimus Enterprises of Anaheim, Calif., announced a recall Portable Infrared Radiant Quartz Electric Space Heaters due to a fire hazard.

The recall affects some 355,000 units that were sold at Northern Tool, Best Buy Market Place, Family Dollar, Heartland, Rite Aid and other stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com, ebay.com and Walmart.com from October 2011 through December 2012 for between $25 and $30.

The heater design can fail to prevent ignition of nearby combustible materials that come in contact with the unit, posing a fire hazard to the consumer. No incidents or injuries have been reported. 

The product was manufactured in China by Dongguang Hong-Hwa Electric Co., according to the recall announcement.