Very important news: you may be risking the safety of your home and family by unwittingly using a faulty water heater. Just last week, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that appliance-maker A.O. Smith had initiated a mass recall, involving roughly 616,000 of its natural and propane gas-powered water heaters.

According to the agency, the problem lies in the water heaters’ gas burner screens, which have been found to develop tears. This engineering issue makes for an abundance of radiant heat, which, in turn, can cause a fire. This is particularly true in the cases of water heaters that have been installed on combustible or wood floors.

Currently, the recall includes all 30, 40, and 50-gallon natural or propane gas-fired Ultra-Low NOx emission gas water heaters. These units were primarily sold in the state of California as part of an air quality compliance program. Here is more info on the affected water heaters via US CPSC:

They were sold under the American, A. O. Smith, Kenmore, Reliance, State, U.S. Craftsmaster and Whirlpool brand names and manufactured from April 8, 2011 through August 1, 2016. Only water heaters with the first four digit serial numbers between 1115 and 1631, where the first four digits represent the year and week of production, are included in the recall. The brand name, model number and serial number can be found on the data plate on the product located next to the gas control valve/thermostat.

If you are not sure whether or not your water heater is part of this recall, visit waterheaterrecall.com. There, you can quickly plug in your water heaters’ serial number and, if it is a match, you will then be directed on how to proceed with the recall.

For more information, be sure to visit the CPSC’s website.

What are your thoughts on this water heater recall? Is your’s part of the recall? If so, what actions do you plan to take?