The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada has recalled about 180,000 programmable White-Rodgers thermostats in the U.S.

The thermostats constantly charge the backup AA batteries used to power the thermostat’s clock. This can cause the batteries to leak, resulting in a fire hazard.

There have been three known incidents involving the thermostats causing minor property damage, but no injuries have been reported.

This recall involves all White-Rodgers programmable thermostats with model numbers 1F88-XXX and 1F85RF-275 and date codes beginning with 05, 06, 07, 08, 09 and 1001 through 1039. The model number is printed on the thermostat’s front pull-down panel door. The date code is located inside the removable front cover. White-Rodgers and/or the utility company’s name and logo are printed on the front of the thermostat.

Consumers should immediately remove the two AA batteries from the thermostat and contact White-Rodgers for a free repair kit.

For more info, contact White-Rodgers toll-free at (888) 624-1901 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website at www.regcen.com/Thermostat