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Montgomery Ward & Co. "406 Grass Getter"

CPSC Recall #78-078 - September 26, 1978

Recall Summary

Recall Number78-078
Recall DateSeptember 26, 1978
Remedy TypeInspect

Product

Montgomery Ward & Co. "406 Grass Getter"

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sept. 27) -- Weed Eater, Inc., Houston, Texas, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), today announced an inspection and replacement program for the "406 Grass Getter", a nylon string edger/trimmer sold exclusively by Montgomery Ward & Co. The electrical insulation on some of the garden tools may have been damaged during shipping and could expose a user to an electric shock. No injuries have been reported. The units involved were sold by Wards between December 20, 1977 and August 10, 1978. They were offered for sale through Wards' retail and catalog stores and sold for about $59.00. The only units affected can be identified by the model number WWH 2052A. This is the only model number affected. The model number appears both on the warning label on the metal shaft and on a name plate on top of the motor housing. The logo "406 Grass Getter" also appears on the name plate. To inspect the unit, the consumer is urged to unplug the unit, separate the upper and lower halves of the metal tubular shaft so as to expose the wiring, and check the visible wiring for cuts in the insulation of the wires. (About four inches of wiring is exposed when the unit is taken apart.)

Hazard

The electrical insulation on some of the garden tools may have been damaged during shipping and could expose a user to an electric shock. 

Incidents & Injuries

No injuries have been reported.

Remedy Instructions

To inspect the unit, the consumer is urged to unplug the unit, separate the upper and lower halves of the metal tubular shaft so as to expose the wiring, and check the visible wiring for cuts in the insulation of the wires. (About four inches of wiring is exposed when the unit is taken apart.)

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Inspect 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 (Inspect) 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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