Homelite Backpack Blowers
CPSC Recall #10-037 — November 11, 2009
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 10-037 |
| Recall Date | November 11, 2009 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | About 85,000 |
| Manufactured In | China |
Where It Was Sold
| Home Depot stores and various retailers of refurbished products including Direct Tools Factory Outlets |
| CPO Homelite |
| Gardner |
| Tap Enterprises |
| Isla Supply and Heartland America stores nationwide from September 2007 through October 2009 for between $90 and $140. |
Product
Homelite Backpack Blowers
Description
This recall involves the Homelite Mighty Lite backpack blowers. The blowers are red and black. The following models are affected by this recall:Product ModelManufacturing Date Codes RangeUT08580ATK1820001 through ATK3659999UT08580AATL1530001 through ATL3669999ATM0010001 through ATM1749999The model number and manufacturing date code are printed on the blower's data label which is located on the red plastic housing above the choke knob and adjacent to the fuel tank. Products with a green "dot" on the outside of the package or the letters "CA" embossed on the fuel tank are not included in the recall.
Hazard
The fuel tank can leak gasoline, posing a fire hazard to consumers.
Incidents & Injuries
Homelite has received 18 reports of fuel tanks leaking gasoline including one report of minor skin irritation.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using their backpack blowers immediately and contact Homelite for the closest dealer location to schedule a free fuel tank replacement.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Replace) at no cost to you.
If the product caused a fire or burn injury, document the incident with photos and preserve the product if it is safe to do so. Report the incident to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov and to your local fire department. Contact the manufacturer to inform them of the incident — they are required to track and report injuries to CPSC. You may also want to consult a personal injury attorney, as fire and burn injuries caused by defective products can be grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer.
In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.
If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.