CPSC Warns Of Sharp Edges On Heat Register Louvers

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Apr. 21) -- Millions of louvers in floor heating registers in homes, schools and public facilities all across the country could present risks of lacerations to children from ragged metal edges, staff of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today. Metal louvers deflect air from the heat register.

According to CPSC injury data, two youngsters -- a five-year-old in Oregon and another child in California -- received cuts from sharp burrs on louvers severe enough to require reconstructive or plastic surgery. Other children aged nine and younger who required emergency room treatment since 1976 have suffered from lacerations to the fingers, toes, and feet, and through clothing to the arms and wrists.

A CPSC staff investigation has revealed that sharp metal edges on heat register louvers are not always removed during the manufacturing process by sanding or other finishing methods.

The potentially hazardous burrs are most of ten found under a louver's angled top edge, but children who crawl, play or fall near heat registers can still get cut, CPSC staff warns. Louvers in floor air registers in homes and public buildings should be carefully inspected for sharp burrs and sanded to remove any hazardous edges.

Commission staff learned of this problem from about a dozen consumer complaints received since 1976, which prompted an informal survey of products currently being manufactured.

Anyone who learns of an injury associated with a sharp louver edge on a floor heat register is urged to report it to CPSC's toll-free Hotline by calling 800/638-2772.