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Type 1 weed and grass trimmers

CPSC Recall #77-086 - August 16, 1977

Recall Summary

Recall Number77-086
Recall DateAugust 16, 1977
Remedy TypeRefund, Replace
Units AffectedConsumers who require additional information should place a collect call to Black & Decker, 301/828-2955, between 8 A.M. and 5 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time.

Product

Type 1 weed and grass trimmers

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Aug. 17) -- Black & Decker Manufacturing Company, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), today announced a voluntary recall of approximately 40,000 No. 8209 Type 1 weed and grass trimmers. The trimmers were produced in the spring and summer of 1977 and distributed nationwide. The orange-colored trimmer has a suggested retail price of $59.99 and uses nylon line to cut weeds and grass. It is sold with an unassembled two-part handle that consumers must assemble prior to use. According to Black & Decker, engineering tests have indicated that consumers could damage the insulation surrounding the electrical cord when assembling the handle. Such damage could result in serious electrical shock. Consumers are urged to immediately stop using the No. 8209 Type 1 trimmer and to return it to only a Black & Decker service center or a Black & Decker-authorized service center listed in the Yellow Pages. Products subject to the recall will be modified to a No. 8209 Type 2 trimmer at no cost to the consumer. All No. 8209 Type 2 trimmers incorporate an additional safety feature to safeguard against any future possibility of electrical shock from this problem. Black & Decker, which informed CPSC of the potential safety hazard on August 1, has mailed certified letters providing recall instructions to all consumers who mailed in the registration card packed with the trimmer. Consumers who require additional information should place a collect call to Black & Decker, 301/828-2955, between 8 A.M. and 5 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time.

Hazard

Engineering tests have indicated that consumers could damage the insulation surrounding the electrical cord when assembling the handle. Such damage could result in serious electrical shock.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers are urged to immediately stop using the No. 8209 Type 1 trimmer and to return it to only a Black & Decker service center or a Black & Decker-authorized service center listed in the Yellow Pages. Products subject to the recall will be modified to a No. 8209 Type 2 trimmer at no cost to the consumer.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Refund, Replace at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

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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 (Refund, Replace) at no cost to you.

No, you should stop using the product entirely, not just unplug it. Electric shock and fire hazards in recalled electrical products often involve internal wiring defects, faulty components, or insulation failures that can cause harm even after the product has been off for a period of time. Do not attempt to repair the product yourself. Keep it unplugged and stored safely until you receive the manufacturer's remedy. If the product has already shown signs of overheating, sparking, or discoloration, handle it carefully and consider contacting your local fire department for guidance on safe disposal.

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.

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