OWT Industries Recalls Electric Blower Vacuums Due to Fire and Burn Hazards; Sold Exclusively at Walmart

News provided by

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Apr 16, 2015, 08:37 ET

WASHINGTON, April 16, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Photos available at: http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2015/OWT-Industries-Recalls-Electric-Blower-Vacuums

Recall Summary

Name of Product: Expert Gardener electric blower vacuums

Hazard: The blower vacuum can overheat, spark and catch on fire posing fire and burn hazards.

Remedy: Refund
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled blower vacuums and return them to any Walmart store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: OWT Industries at (800) 597-9624 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or online at www.expertgardenertools.com and click on Safety Notices for more information.

Recall Details

Units: About 225,000 in the United States. (Models 20254EG and 20254EGC of this product were previously recalled in February 2013.)

Description: This recall involves Expert Gardener 12 amp electric blower vacuums with model numbers 20254EG, 20254EGA, 20254EGB, 20254EGBC, 20254EGC and 21254EG. Model numbers are located on a label on the left side of the motor housing. The blower vacuums are green and black. "Expert Gardener" and "Blower Vac 2 Speed Quiet 150 MPH Powerful 220 MPH" are printed on the side of the green motor housing and on the black plastic blower tube.

Incidents/Injuries: OWT has received 16 reports of blower vacuums sparking, arcing, smoking or burning. No injuries have been reported.

Sold exclusively at: Walmart stores nationwide and online at www.walmart.com from January 2012 through March 2015 for about $40.

Importer: OWT Industries Inc., of Pickens, S.C.

Manufacturer: Changzhou Globe Tools Co. Ltd. and Cixi City Best Power Tools Co., Ltd., of China

Manufactured in: China

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