Go Backs
HomeCategoriesStatesCheck Your Home
Go Backs

Track product recalls and safety alerts from CPSC, FDA, NHTSA, and USDA. Stay informed and keep your family safe.

Browse

  • Categories
  • States
  • Check Your Home
  • Risk Levels

Agencies

  • CPSC
  • FDA Food
  • FDA Drug
  • FDA Device
  • FDA Veterinary
  • NHTSA
  • USDA

Company

  • About
  • FAQ
  • Contact
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy

Recall data is sourced from official U.S. government agencies (CPSC, FDA, NHTSA, USDA) and processed using AI to improve readability. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. Always refer to the original agency notice for authoritative information.

© 2026 Go Backs. All rights reserved.

Medium RiskCPSC
Kitchen & Cookware/Small Appliances

Family Dollar Stores Recalls Optimus Tower Quartz Heaters Due to Overheating and Fire Hazards

Agency Publication Date: May 9, 2013
Share:
Sign in to monitor this recall

Summary

Family Dollar Stores is recalling approximately 19,640 Optimus Tower Quartz Heaters because they can overheat and catch fire. There have been 10 reports of the heaters overheating, including instances where the temperature control knobs actually melted. These portable electric heaters were sold for about $35 at Family Dollar Stores nationwide between September 2012 and December 2012. Consumers should immediately stop using these heaters and return them to any Family Dollar Store for a full refund.

Risk

The internal components of the heater can reach excessive temperatures during operation, causing the plastic housing and control knobs to melt or ignite. This poses a significant fire hazard to the home and a burn risk to users.

What You Should Do

  1. Identify your product by checking the bottom of the heater for a silver sticker containing the brand 'Optimus' and Model number 'H-5232'.
  2. Confirm the physical description: the heater is a white metal tower about 25 inches tall and 10 inches wide with a white plastic top, two control dials, and a wire cage on the front.
  3. Immediately unplug the heater and stop using it to prevent the risk of overheating or fire.
  4. Return the recalled heater to any Family Dollar Stores location to receive a full refund of the purchase price.
  5. Contact Family Dollar Stores at 800-547-0359 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or visit www.familydollar.com and click on 'Product Recalls' for more information.
  6. For additional safety concerns, contact the CPSC Hotline at 800-638-2772.

Your Remedy Options

💰Full Refund

Consumers should immediately unplug and stop using the heaters and return the product to any Family Dollar Stores location for a full refund.

Contact: Family Dollar Stores at (800) 547-0359 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.familydollar.com, then click on Product Recalls in the Help section at the bottom of the page.

Affected Products

Product: Optimus Tower Quartz Heater
Model:
H-5232
Date Ranges: September 2012 - December 2012

Product Images

Optimus Tower Quartz Heater, Model Number H-5232

Optimus Tower Quartz Heater, Model Number H-5232

Control panel of the Optimus Tower Quartz Heater

Control panel of the Optimus Tower Quartz Heater

The Optimus Tower Quartz Heater model number is on the bottom of the unit.

The Optimus Tower Quartz Heater model number is on the bottom of the unit.

Additional Information

Agency: Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
Recall ID: 13186
Status: Active
Sold By: Family Dollar Stores from September 2012 through December 2012 for about $35.
Manufactured In: China
Units Affected: About 19,640
Distributed To: Nationwide
Importer: Family Dollar Services Inc., of Matthews, N.C.
Contact: Family Dollar Stores at (800) 547-0359 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.familydollar.com, then click on Product Recalls in the Help section at the bottom of the page.
Agency Last Updated: January 23, 2015

Were You Affected by This Recall?

If you or a family member were harmed by this recalled product, you may have legal rights. Consider consulting a consumer protection attorney to understand your options for compensation.

Find an Attorney

This is general information, not legal advice. Go Backs is not a law firm and does not provide legal services.

AI-Enhanced Content: The summary, action steps, and risk assessment on this page were generated by AI from official government recall data to improve readability. This is not legal or medical advice. Always refer to the official agency sources below for authoritative information.

Sources: CPSC Notice · Raw API Response