Around 300,000 toasters made by Hamilton Beach were recalled Thursday by the U.S. ConsumerProduct Safety Commission. These classic chrome 2-slice toasters are being recalled due to a broken heating element that can stay on indefinitely, posing a fire hazard if near flammable items.

Sold in mass merchandisers, grocery, department, and home stores, as well as different online retailers, these toasters were on sale between February 2008 and June 2011.

Consumers should immediately stop using their toasters and contact Hamilton Beach at (800) 379-2200 or at www.hamiltonbeach.com to order a free replacement toaster.

Hamilton Beach has also released an article outlining general toaster safety: http://tinyurl.com/43va5sd