Recall of RedMax Backpack Blowers

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the manufacturers named below, today announced voluntary recalls of the following consumer products. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: RedMax Gas-Powered Backpack Blowers

Units: About 170,000

Importer: Komatsu Zenoah America, doing business as RedMax, of Norcross, Ga.

Hazard: The muffler support bracket can break, creating an opening in the muffler body. Hot exhaust gases can then escape from the muffler and could melt the fuel tank or ignite grease, oil or debris around the fuel tank, posing a fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: RedMax has received five reports of units that have caught fire when hot exhaust gases from damaged mufflers ignited grease, oil or debris around the area of the fuel tank. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The RedMax gasoline-powered backpack blowers are red and black with a white fuel tank. Model numbers EB6200, EB7000, EB7001, and EB7001RH can be found on the body of the blowers along with “RedMax,” “Zenoah,” and “Komatsu.”

Sold by: RedMax dealers nationwide from December 1996 through December 2005 for about $530

Manufactured In: Japan and Georgia

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the backpack blowers immediately and contact RedMax for a dealer location nearest to them to schedule a free inspection and a free repair if necessary. Consumers who have registered their equipment will receive direct notification about this recall from RedMax.

Consumer Contact: For additional information consumers can contact RedMax at (866) 217-4152, anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.redmax.com

To view this recall online, please visit our website at: cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml06/06147.html