Battery Chargers supplied with certain Kawasaki branded Power Tool Kits
CPSC Recall #08-513 — October 24, 2007
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 08-513 |
| Recall Date | October 24, 2007 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | About 800,000 |
| Manufactured In | China |
Where It Was Sold
| National wholesale club retailers nationwide from September 2005 through September 2007 for between $40 and $100. |
Product
Battery Chargers supplied with certain Kawasaki branded Power Tool Kits
Description
In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Alltrade Tools LLC, of Long Beach, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 800,000 Battery Chargers supplied with certain Kawasaki branded Power Tool Kits. When used with an incompatible charger, the battery pack can overheat and melt during charging, or can explode during use, posing burn, laceration and bruise hazards to consumers.Name of Product: Battery Chargers supplied with certain Kawasaki branded Power Tool KitsUnits: About 800,000Distributor: Alltrade Tools LLC, of Long Beach, Calif.Hazard: When used with an incompatible charger, the battery pack can overheat and melt during charging, or can explode during use, posing burn, laceration and bruise hazards to consumers.Incidents/Injuries: Alltrade Tools has received 30 reports of incidents, including eight injuries from the battery packs melting or forcefully expelling plastic shards while in use. Injuries include minor acid burns from handling fractured battery packs, cuts, bruises and some temporary hearing loss from a loud noise that can occur if an internal battery cell ruptures.Description: The recall includes battery chargers sold with certain model numbers of both 19.2 and 21.6 volt NiCad battery packs. The battery model number is located on a label on the bottom of the battery pack. The power tool's model number is stamped onto the inside lid of the tool set's plastic carrying case.Power ToolPower Tool ModelBattery Pack ModelKW Black 19.2V Cordless Drill840128691034KW Black 19.2V 26 PC Drill Set840135KW Black 4 PC Power Tool Combo840338KW Black 2 PC Power Tool Combo840339KW Black 19.2V 26 PC Drill Set840135A691240KW Black 21.6V Cordless Drill840266691221KW Black 21.6V Cordless Drill840267Sold by: National wholesale club retailers nationwide from September 2005 through September 2007 for between $40 and $100.Manufactured in: ChinaRemedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled battery chargers immediately and register at www.alltradetools.com to receive a free compatible battery charger. Alltrade Tools LLC is directly contacting consumers who purchased the power tools containing the recalled chargers. Consumers should not return the battery chargers to the store where purchased.Consumer Contact: For additional information, please contact Alltrade Tools LLC at (800) 590-3723 between 8:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, and between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, or visit the firm's website at www.alltradetools.com.
Hazard
When used with an incompatible charger, the battery pack can overheat and melt during charging, or can explode during use, posing burn, laceration and bruise hazards to consumers.
Incidents & Injuries
Alltrade Tools has received 30 reports of incidents, including eight injuries from the battery packs melting or forcefully expelling plastic shards while in use. Injuries include minor acid burns from handling fractured battery packs, cuts, bruises and some temporary hearing loss from a loud noise that can occur if an internal battery cell ruptures.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using the recalled battery chargers immediately and register at www.alltradetools.com to receive a free compatible battery charger. Alltrade Tools LLC is directly contacting consumers who purchased the power tools containing the recalled chargers. Consumers should not return the battery chargers to the store where purchased.
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.