FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 26, 2007
Release #07-253 |
Firm's Hotline: (888) 279-3191
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
|
Note: The Toro Company reannounced this recall on December 11, 2008.
The Toro Company Recalls Electric Blowers Due to Projectile Hazards
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the manufacturers named below, today announced voluntary recalls of the following consumer products. 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: Toro Power Sweep Electric Blowers
Units: About 900,000
Manufacturer: The Toro Company, of Bloomington, Minn.
Hazard: The blower's impeller, which is a rotating component on the blower, can break, resulting in pieces of plastic flying out of the blower. This poses a risk of serious injury to the user or a bystander.
Incidents/Injuries: Toro has received 154 reports of broken impellers, including 21 reports of minor cuts and bruises resulting from projected impeller pieces.
Description: The recall involves Toro Power Sweep electric blower model 51586 that was manufactured between 2000 and 2002. The electric blowers have serial numbers that range between 000055100 and 220255609. There are two decals on the main housing of the blower. One decal reads, "TORO Power Sweep" and the decal on the opposite side of the blower contains the model number and serial number. The recalled units can be identified by a black impeller fan, which can be seen through the air inlet screen on the bottom of the unit.
Sold through: Toro dealers and various mass retailers nationwide including The Home Depot, Lowes, Target and K-Mart stores from January 2000 through late December 2002 for about $32.
Manufactured in: United States
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled blowers immediately and contact Toro to receive a replacement blower.
Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Toro at (888) 279-3191 between 7:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday. Consumers can also visit the Toro web site at www.toro.com. The Toro Company has notified registered owners directly.
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.