FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 25, 2006
Release #06-073 |
Firm's Recall Hotline: (800) 242-4672
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
|
Leaf Blowers Sold at Home Depot Recalled for Laceration Hazard
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.
Name of Product: Homelite Vac Attack II Blower
Units: About 1,550
Importer: Homelite Consumer Products Inc., of Anderson, S.C.
Hazard: The blowers are missing the doors covering the vacuum inlet. This exposes the blower's fan blade, posing a risk of finger laceration to the user.
Incidents/Injuries: No incidents or injuries have been reported.
Description: The recalled blower is used outside to blow, vacuum or mulch leaves. "Homelite" is printed on the top of the blower. The blower is red with a black nozzle, and weighs about 10 lbs. Model number UT08542 or UT08542A is printed on the operator's manual. Only blowers missing the black cover over the fan are included in the recall. "Homelite" and "Vac Attack II" are written on the fan cover. A bag connects to the blower to collect the leaves or mulch.
Sold at: Home Depot stores nationwide from September 2005 through November 2005 for about $99.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should stop using these blowers immediately and return them to a Home Depot store for a new blower or a full refund.
Consumer Contact: Contact Homelite toll-free at (800) 242-4672 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.homelite.com
Recalled Blower with Missing Vacuum Inlet Cover
Blower with Fan Cover
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.