Stihl BR 500, BR 550 Backpack Blowers

Description: Stihl Inc. Recall of Backpack Blowers NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 18, 2005 Release #06-008 Firm's Recall Hotline: (800) 610-6677 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908 CPSC, Stihl Inc. Announce Recall of Backpack Blowers WASHINGTON, D.C. - 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. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product. Name of Product: BR 500 and BR 550 Backpack Blowers Units: About 6,230 Manufacturer: Stihl Inc. of Virginia Beach, Va. Hazard: The fan wheel on these backpack blowers could break, resulting in pieces of plastic flying out of the blower housing. This poses a risk of injury to the user or a bystander. Incidents/Injuries: Stihl has received five reports of the fan wheel breaking. No injuries have been reported. Description: These backpack blowers have serial numbers ranging from 264264925 through 264740832 which are located on top of the engine's cylinder on the fin. The spark plug boot can be removed to view the serial number from the exterior of the blower. Sold at: Authorized Stihl dealers nationwide from January 2005 through May 2005 for about $450. Manufactured in: U.S.A. Remedy: Consumers should stop using these blowers immediately and return them to an authorized Stihl dealer for a free repair. Consumer Contact: Contact Stihl at (800) 610-6677 between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit Stihl's Web site at www.stihlusa.com [Learn More]