ECHO Recalls Backpack Blowers Due to Fire Hazard

News provided by

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Feb 23, 2012, 01:00 ET

WASHINGTON, Feb. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 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.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20030904/USCSCLOGO )

Name of product: Gas Powered Backpack Blower
Units: About 16,000
Manufacturer: ECHO Inc., of Lake Zurich, Ill.
Hazard: The fuel line between the fuel tank and carburetor could have been damaged during assembly leading to fuel leakage, posing a fire hazard.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported
Description: This recall involves two models of the ECHO 2-cycle gas powered backpack blowers. The 25.4 cc blowers are orange and black in color and "ECHO" is printed on the pull starter housing and blower tube. Model numbers are on a label near the pull starter handle. Serial numbers are on a label near the gas filler cap. Models and corresponding serial numbers included in this recall:

Model                                  Serial Numbers
PB-265L                              P093121 35519 through P093121 50152
PB-265L                              P078110 20732 through P078110 22309

Sold at: Home Depot and authorized ECHO dealers from August 2011 through January 2012 for about $270.
Manufactured in: United States
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the backpack blowers and return them to an authorized ECHO servicing dealer for a free repair.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact ECHO toll-free at (800) 432-3246 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at www.echo-usa.com.

Photos available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12118.html

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.

Firm's Recall Hotline: (800) 432-3246
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

SOURCE U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission