Compost and leaf shredders with Model Nos. SKO, 6-0, and 6-04
CPSC Recall #75-018 - February 23, 1975
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 75-018 |
| Recall Date | February 23, 1975 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
| Manufacturer | Kemp Shredder Company |
Product
Compost and leaf shredders with Model Nos. SKO, 6-0, and 6-04
Description
ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA (Feb. 24) -- Kemp Shredder Company, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, announces the immediate availability of a free corrective kit for compost and leaf shredders with Model Nos. SKO, 6-0, and 6-04 to reduce the possibility of injury to users. The uncorrected models pose a potential safety hazard to consumers. The user's hand could be drawn into the shredding machinery when a stick or branch is inserted at a certain angle while the machine is operating. The free corrective kit provided by the Kemp Shredder Company will contain a protective plate with simple installation instructions, revised operating instructions, and safety decals. The protective plate, to be installed by the consumer, will reduce the potential hazard. Only Model Nos. SKO, 6-0, and 6-04, which were sold nationally, are involved in the corrective program voluntarily undertaken by the firm. These models were manufactured prior to May 16, 1973, although some may have been sold after that date. The model numbers are located on the shredder nameplate. Consumers who have difficulty in finding the model number should contact the Kemp Shredder Company. The Kemp Shredder Company is notifying by certified mail all known purchasers of the availability of the corrective kits. Owners of the above models who have not received the letter are urged to contact the Kemp Shredder Company, P.O. Box 6275, Erie, Pennsylvania 16512.
Hazard
The uncorrected models pose a potential safety hazard to consumers. The user's hand could be drawn into the shredding machinery when a stick or branch is inserted at a certain angle while the machine is operating.
Remedy Instructions
The free corrective kit provided by the Kemp Shredder Company will contain a protective plate with simple installation instructions, revised operating instructions, and safety decals. The protective plate, to be installed by the consumer, will reduce the potential hazard.
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.
Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product, whether recalled or not, you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.
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.