Shoppers urged to stop using $30 fan sold at TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Sierra after fires

Shoppers are being urged to stop using a $30 Merkury Innovations fan after reports it overheated and caught fire. The recall covers about 18,000 Hot + Cool Heating and Cooling Fans, model MI-DHC02, sold at TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Sierra from October 2024 through October 2025. The Consumer Product Safety Commission notes two incidents, including one that caused smoke damage, though no injuries have been reported. The unit is manufactured in China, and Merkury Innovations is coordinating the recall with instructions to unplug the device immediately and stop using it. Owners should unplug the fan, cut the cord, and contact Merkury Innovations for a full refund.

Regulators require customers to mark the date, their initials, and 'Recalled' on the product, then photograph the disabled unit to complete the refund registration. Merkury's help line is 888-232-3143. The recall highlights the risk posed by low-cost appliances sold through major discounters and the ongoing challenge of ensuring safety in fast-moving supply chains.