Black & Decker BV4000 Type 1 Blower/Vacs
CPSC Recall #07-005 — October 9, 2006
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 07-005 |
| Recall Date | October 9, 2006 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
| Units Affected | About 272,000 |
| Manufacturer | Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc., of Towson, Md. |
| Manufactured In | Mexico |
Where It Was Sold
| Home center |
| hardware and discount stores nationwide from April 2004 through July 2005 for about $70. |
Product
Black & Decker BV4000 Type 1 Blower/Vacs
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc., of Towson, Md., is voluntarily recalling about 272,000 Black & Decker BV4000 Type 1 Blower/Vacs. A loose connection between the blower/vac and an extension cord can cause overheating, posing a fire hazard.Name of Products: Black & Decker BV4000 Type 1 Blower/VacsUnits: About 272,000Manufacturer: Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc., of Towson, Md.Hazard: A loose connection between the blower/vac and an extension cord can cause overheating, posing a fire hazard.Incidents/Injuries: Black & Decker has received 187 reports of smoking, melting and/or fire near the blower/vac's plug, including one report of a fire extending beyond the unit. Black & Decker has received seven reports of minor burns, none of which required medical treatment.Description and Models: This recall involves Black & Decker model BV4000 Type 1 blower/vacs. The model and type number are printed on a name plate on the right side of the unit. The blower/vacs have an orange housing and a black blower assembly.Sold at: Home center, hardware and discount stores nationwide from April 2004 through July 2005 for about $70.Manufactured in: MexicoRemedy: Consumers should stop using the blower/vacs immediately and contact Black & Decker for a free repair kit.Consumer Contact: For additional information, consumers can contact Black & Decker at (866) 853-2138 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.blackanddecker.com.
Hazard
A loose connection between the blower/vac and an extension cord can cause overheating, posing a fire hazard.
Incidents & Injuries
Black & Decker has received 187 reports of smoking, melting and/or fire near the blower/vac's plug, including one report of a fire extending beyond the unit. Black & Decker has received seven reports of minor burns, none of which required medical treatment.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using the blower/vacs immediately and contact Black & Decker for a free repair kit.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Repair 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 (Repair) 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.