CPSC Recall in 1998: CPSC, Royal Centurian/Sovereign Announce Recall of Portable Heaters

Updated on March 25, 2026.

See the recall details below. You can also see similar information for other consumer product recalls in 1998.

Data Source: CPSC.

Recall Number: 99-004

Date: October 06, 1998

Product Name: Royal Sovereign model RST-1200 portable heaters

Recall Description:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Royal Centurian Inc. and its affiliate Royal Sovereign Corp., both of Englewood, N.J., are voluntarily recalling about 39,300 portable heaters. The mechanism which rotates the heater side-to-side can wear through the insulation of electrical wiring inside the heater's base. In addition, some of the connections between the electrical wires and other components inside of the heater may be faulty. Either of these conditions can result in a fire. Royal Centurian/Sovereign have received 13 reports of fires involving the heaters, which may have caused the fires. The fires resulted in about $70,000 in property damage. No injuries have been reported. Only Royal Sovereign model RST-1200 portable heaters with serial numbers beginning with 92, 93, 94, 95 or 96 are being recalled. These heaters use a fan to force the heated air into the room, and they rotate side-to-side to distribute the heated air throughout the room. These units are constructed of black plastic in a cylindrical shape with a diameter of 7 inches and a height of 13 inches. The units are labeled in part, "RS...CERAMIC HEATER AUTO THERMOSTAT CONTROL...120v, 60 hz, 1500 w...MODEL NO. RST-1200 ...Royal Sovereign Corp...UL LISTED AIR HEATER...MADE IN KOREA." The serial number is located underneath the heater's base. Home building supply and discount stores nationwide, including Hechingers, Builders' Square, Walmart and Montgomery Ward, sold the heaters from January 1992 through September 1997 for about $99. Consumers should stop using these heaters immediately and call Royal Centurian Inc. toll-free at (888) 347-2757 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday for instructions on returning the heaters for free repair. Link to CPSC's provisionally accepted settlement agreement with Royal Sovereign.

Hazard Description:

The mechanism which rotates the heater side-to-side can wear through the insulation of electrical wiring inside the heater's base. In addition, some of the connections between the electrical wires and other components inside of the heater may be faulty. Either of these conditions can result in a fire.

Consumer Action:

Remedy Type:

Repair

Units: About 39,300

Incidents:

Royal Centurian/Sovereign have received 13 reports of fires involving the heaters, which may have caused the fires. The fires resulted in about $70,000 in property damage. No injuries have been reported.

Sold At:

Home building supply and discount stores nationwide, including Hechingers, Builders' Square, Walmart and Montgomery Ward, sold the heaters from January 1992 through September 1997 for about $99.

Manufactured In:

Korea