Homelite Recalls Electric Blower Vacuums Due to Laceration Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Home Depot

News provided by

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Feb 21, 2013, 12:17 ET

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Consumers should stop using this product, which is being recalled voluntarily, unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

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

Recall Summary

Name of product: Homelite Electric Blower Vacuums

Hazard: Objects that are drawn into the unit during vacuum mode can break through the plastic housing, posing a laceration hazard.

Remedy: Replace
Consumer Contact: Homelite Consumer Products; at (800) 597-9624 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or online at www.homelite.com and click on Safety Notices for more information.

Recall Details

Units: About 241,000 in the United States and 13,600 in Canada

Description: This recall involves Homelite electric blower vacuums with two different model and serial number ranges, including model UT42120 with serial numbers BMP3540001 through BMR2103100, and model UT42120A with serial numbers BMR2120001 through BMR3421250. Model and serial numbers are located on a label on the left side of the red motor housing. The blower vacuums are red and black. "Homelite BlowerVac 2 Speed Powerful 220 MPH" is printed on the side of the motor housing and on the black plastic blower tube.

Incidents/Injuries: Homelite received one report of an incident with the recalled blower vacuums. No injuries have been reported.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled blower vacuums and contact Homelite for a free replacement blower vacuum.
Sold exclusively at: Home Depot stores nationwide and online at www.homedepot.com from February 2012 through December 2012 for about $40.
Importer: Homelite Consumer Products Inc., of Anderson, S.C.

Manufacturer: Changzhou Globe Tools Co. Ltd., of China
Manufactured in: China

Photos available at http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Homelite-Recalls-Electric-Blower-Vacuums

Note: Health Canada's press release is available at http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2013/23165r-eng.php

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 significant 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.

CPSC Consumer Information Hotline
Contact us at this toll-free number if you have questions about a recall:
800-638-2772 (TTY 301-595-7054)
Times: 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. ET; Messages can be left anytime
Call to get product safety and other agency information and to report unsafe products.

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SOURCE U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission