Backpack Blowers Recalled by Homelite Due to Fire Hazard

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a
voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop
using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030904/USCSCLOGO)

Name of Product: Homelite Backpack Blowers

Units: About 85,000

Distributor: Homelite Consumer Products Inc., of Anderson, S.C.

Hazard: The fuel tank can leak gasoline, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Homelite has received 18 reports of fuel tanks leaking
gasoline including one report of minor skin irritation.

Description: This recall involves the Homelite Mighty Lite backpack blowers.
The blowers are red and black. The following models are affected by this
recall:

Product Model Manufacturing Date Codes Range

UT08580 ATK1820001 through ATK3659999

UT08580A ATL1530001 through ATL3669999
ATM0010001 through ATM1749999

The model number and manufacturing date code are printed on the blower's
data label which is located on the red plastic housing above the choke knob
and adjacent to the fuel tank. Products with a green "dot" on the outside of
the package or the letters "CA" embossed on the fuel tank are not included in
the recall.

Sold at: Home Depot stores and various retailers of refurbished products
including Direct Tools Factory Outlets, CPO Homelite, Gardner, Tap
Enterprises, Isla Supply and Heartland America stores nationwide from
September 2007 through October 2009 for between $90 and $140.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using their backpack blowers immediately and
contact Homelite for the closest dealer location to schedule a free fuel tank
replacement.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Homelite Consumer
Products, Inc. at (800) 242-4672 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through
Friday or visit www.homelite.com.

Photos available at www.cpsc.gov.

CPSC is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are
either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard
with the same product. Please tell us about it by visiting
https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx.

Firm's Recall Hotline: (800) 242-4672
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

SOURCE U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Media Contact, +1-301-504-7908