| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908 |
| July 31, 1997 |
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| Release #97-165 |
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CPSC, Homelite Inc. Announce Recall of Gasoline-Powered Backpack Blowers
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Homelite Inc. of Charlotte, N.C., is announcing a voluntary recall to repair over 80,000 model BP-250 Homelite gasoline-powered backpack blowers. If the blower's fuel lines are routed too closely to the engine cylinder, they can crack and leak fuel, presenting a fire hazard to consumers.
Homelite Inc. has received five reports of fuel lines leaking. Two fires and one burn injury resulting in a slightly singed back have been associated with these blowers.
The model BP-250 Homelite blower measures 2.5 feet high and 1.5 feet wide and has a 30 cubic centimeter engine. The blower is mostly red with black components and is mounted on a black frame to which shoulder straps are attached. The words, "Homelite BP-250...Made in U.S.A." appear under the blower's red support bar. The blowers involved in this recall have UT numbers UT 08017F or UT 08017G and serial numbers ranging from HP2000001 through HP3659999, HQ0010001 through HQ3659999, and HR0010001 through HR2109999 located on a sticker attached to the fuel tank.
Authorized Homelite dealers nationwide, including lawn and garden and building supply stores, sold the blowers from October 1994 through December 1996 for about $200.
Consumers should stop using the blowers immediately and take them to the nearest Homelite servicing dealer for repair. For the name of the nearest Homelite servicing dealer or for more information about this recall, consumers should call Homelite Inc. at (800) 242-4672 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday.
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.