CPSC recall 99-004, announced October 7, 1998, covers Royal Sovereign model RST-1200 portable heaters (about 39,300 units). The mechanism, which rotates the heater side-to-side, can wear through the insulation of electrical wiring inside the heater's base. The notice cites 13 incident reports. Consumers should stop using these heaters immediately and call Royal Centurian Inc. for instructions on returning the heaters for free repair. Recall contact: call (888) 347-2757.
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Compare the model on your label, then check any serial numbers, date codes, and exclusions in the notice. A model match alone does not confirm that your unit is included.
Affected model numbers
RST-1200 ...Royal Sovereign Corp...UL LISTED AIR HEATER...MADE IN KOREA." The serial number is located underneath the heater's base.
Which products are included?
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.
Confirm these details on the official CPSC noticeWhat to look for
- Model numbers
- One listed. Yours must match it exactly.
- Also in the notice
- Serial numbers. Compare these as well.
- Where to look
the heater's base
(the notice’s words)- When sold
- January 1992 through September 1997
- Where sold
- Walmart, among the sellers the notice names
- Price paid
- $99
Why it was recalled
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.
Incidents and injuries
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.
Official remedy
Consumers should stop using these heaters immediately and call Royal Centurian Inc. for instructions on returning the heaters for free repair.
What to do now
- Check the label. Compare your model number with the one listed in this recall, then check the serial numbers the notice lists.
- Stop using it. The notice says to stop using recalled units immediately.
- Contact the firm. Call (888) 347-2757.
- Read the official notice. The CPSC notice is the final word on which units are included and what to do.
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Product and sales details
- Brand
- Royal Centurian Inc. and its affiliate Royal Sovereign Corp., both
- Product type
- Space heaters
- Recall number
- 99-004
- Units
- About 39,300
- Manufactured in
- South Korea
- Sold at / sales period
- 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.
- Distributor
- Royal Centurian Inc. and its affiliate Royal Sovereign Corp., both of Englewood, N.J.
Royal Sovereign model RST-1200 portable heaters
CPSC product type: Electric Heaters
This recall in context
Compared with the 39 space heater recalls in this index, as of October 31, 2026.
- Size
- 39,300 units: the 13th-largest of 24 space heater recalls that state a unit count. The median is 54,900 units.
- Hazard
- Fire: named in 33 of 39 space heater recalls, the most common hazard among them.
- Time on sale
- About 6 years. Recalled 13 months after the last month of sales the notice gives.
Recall contact information
Consumers may call Royal Centurian Inc. toll-free at (888) 347-2757 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday.
Verify phone numbers, hours, and websites on the current CPSC notice before contacting the firm.
Know someone who has one?
Recalls only work when owners hear about them. Send this notice to family or friends who might own the same product.
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