| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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| October 1, 1979 |
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| Release # 79-052 |
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Power Mowers To Be Modified
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct.1) -- The Sunbeam Outdoor Co., has instituted a program to modify approximately 8,900 electric lawn mowers which may pose electrical shock hazards to users.
The program is being conducted voluntarily in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The Sunbeam Outdoor Company, of Manning, South Carolina, is a division of the Sunbeam Corporation.
The program applies only to models 3227 and 3228 "Sunbeam" electrical mowers. They have been sold nationwide since 1978 at a retail price of approximately $140.
The mowers feature handles which can be reversed over the top of the motor enabling consumers to change mowing directions without turning around the entire machine.
As the position of the handle is changed, the power cord may get caught between the handle and a bracket which mounts the handle to the mower. This could cause sufficient abrasion to expose electrical wires. No injuries have been reported.
Consumers should not use these mowers until they have installed a small metal part to eliminate the potential hazard. The part can be obtained free of charge, along with installation instructions, by contacting: Department 91B, Sunbeam Outdoor Company, Division of Sunbeam Corporation, P.O. Box 430, Kingstree Highway East, Manning, South Caroling 29102, telephone 803/435-8444.
To verify model numbers, consumers may contact CPSC's toll- free Hotline at 800/638-2772.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about your experience with the product on SaferProducts.gov
CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $900 billion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household chemicals - contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.
Federal law bars any person from selling products subject to a publicly-announced voluntary recall by a manufacturer or a mandatory recall ordered by the Commission.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury go online to www.SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or teletypewriter at (301) 595-7054 for the hearing impaired. Consumers can obtain news release and recall information at www.cpsc.gov, on Twitter @OnSafety or by subscribing to CPSC's free e-mail newsletters.