Weed Trimmer Repair Program Announced

Washington, D.C. -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc., Towson, MD, today announced a voluntary recall of approximately 647,000 of its Push Button Command Feed Weed/Grass Trimmers produced between 1981 and 1984. These trimmers are being recalled because the fan and cap assembly may fracture, throwing pieces that could injure the user or bystanders.

Black & Decker is aware of 102 reports of fan/cap breakage, some resulting in injuries involving lacerations and bruises to the feet and legs. The products were sold nationwide under the Black & Decker label, and also under the labels of Montgomery Ward and McCulloch Corporation.

Consumers are urged immediately to stop using the affected trimmers and return them to a Black & Decker Service Center listed in the yellow pages under "Tools - Electric" so that the trimmers can be repaired at no cost to the consumer.

The following trimmers are subject to the recall:

The affected trimmers can be identified by a label decal tag located near the top of the trimmer between the auxillary handle and the top handle.

The trimmers sold for a price of between $40 - $75 and use a nylon line to cut weeds and grass. They are being voluntarily recalled because the black rotating fan and cap assembly, attached to the motor below the guard on the Trimmers, may fracture during use. If this happens, pieces of the assembly could be thrown out from under the guard. This could present a potential safety hazard for users and by-standers, who could be cut and bruised by the thrown pieces.

Black & Decker has developed a new fan and cap assembly for these trimmers to safeguard against any future possibility of failure. The neti assembly will be installed on trimmers returned to Black & Decker.

All owners of the trimmers should take them to a Black & Decker Service Center or telephone their local Black & Decker Service Center for assistance. Owners who need additional information about the recall nay call Black & Decker toll-free at (800) 544-6986 on weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Eastern time. Black & Decker is mailing letters providing instructions to those persons who, after purchasing their trimmer, mailed in the Registration Cards.