RedMax Gas-Powered Backpack Blowers
CPSC Recall #06-147 — April 24, 2006
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 06-147 |
| Recall Date | April 24, 2006 |
| Remedy Type | Inspect, Repair |
| Units Affected | About 170,000 |
| Importer | Komatsu Zenoah America, doing business as RedMax, of Norcross, Ga. |
| Manufactured In | Japan and Georgia |
Where It Was Sold
| RedMax dealers nationwide from December 1996 through December 2005 for about $530. |
Product
RedMax Gas-Powered Backpack Blowers
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Komatsu Zenoah America, doing business as RedMax, of Norcross, Ga., is voluntarily recalling about 170,000 RedMax Gas-Powered Backpack Blowers. The muffler support bracket can break, creating an opening in the muffler body. Hot exhaust gases can then escape from the muffler and could melt the fuel tank or ignite grease, oil or debris around the fuel tank, posing a fire hazard.Name of Product: RedMax Gas-Powered Backpack BlowersUnits: About 170,000Importer: Komatsu Zenoah America, doing business as RedMax, of Norcross, Ga.Hazard: The muffler support bracket can break, creating an opening in the muffler body. Hot exhaust gases can then escape from the muffler and could melt the fuel tank or ignite grease, oil or debris around the fuel tank, posing a fire hazard.Incidents/Injuries: RedMax has received five reports of units that have caught fire when hot exhaust gases from damaged mufflers ignited grease, oil or debris around the area of the fuel tank. No injuries have been reported.Description: The RedMax gasoline-powered backpack blowers are red and black with a white fuel tank. Model numbers EB6200, EB7000, EB7001, and EB7001RH can be found on the body of the blowers along with "RedMax," "Zenoah," and "Komatsu."Sold by: RedMax dealers nationwide from December 1996 through December 2005 for about $530.Manufactured In: Japan and GeorgiaRemedy: Consumers should stop using the backpack blowers immediately and contact Husqvarna for a dealer location nearest to them to schedule a free inspection and a free repair if necessary.Consumer Contact: For additional information, consumers can contact Husqvarna at (877) 257-6921.
Hazard
The muffler support bracket can break, creating an opening in the muffler body. Hot exhaust gases can then escape from the muffler and could melt the fuel tank or ignite grease, oil or debris around the fuel tank, posing a fire hazard.
Incidents & Injuries
RedMax has received five reports of units that have caught fire when hot exhaust gases from damaged mufflers ignited grease, oil or debris around the area of the fuel tank. No injuries have been reported.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using the backpack blowers immediately and contact Husqvarna for a dealer location nearest to them to schedule a free inspection and a free repair if necessary.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Inspect, 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 (Inspect, 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.