About 200,000 Black & Decker GH1000 Grasshog XP string trimmers/edgers are being recalled, reports the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Manufactured in China by Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc., of Towson, Md., the trimmers/edgers’ spool, spool cap, and pieces of trimmer string can come loose during use and become airborne projectiles.
This poses a serious laceration hazard to the user, as well as bystanders, according to the commission, adding the trimmers/edgers can also overheat, posing a burn hazard to consumers.
At the time of the original announcement in July 2007, Black & Decker had received more than 700 reports of incidents, including 58 reports of injuries.
The firm has received more than 100 additional injury reports – 10 that required medical attention and minor injuries such as bruises and lacerations. There also were reports of minor property damage, including broken windows.
The Black & Decker GH1000 Grasshog XP string trimmers/edgers are electric-powered.
Trimmers/edgers with date codes 200546 through 200645 – representing manufacture dates of November 14, 2005 through November 6, 2006 – are included in this recall. The date code is located on the underside of the trimmers/edgers’ handle.
Only trimmers with black spool caps are included in the recall. Those with orange spool caps aren’t included.
The trimmers/edgers were sold at major home center and hardware stores nationwide from November 2005 through January 2007 for about $70.
Consumers should stop using the string trimmers/edgers immediately and contact Black & Decker for a free repair kit.
For additional information, contact Black & Decker at 888-742-9158 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.blackanddecker.com.
To find out about other recalls, see www.Recalls.gov.
