About 2,000 defective Fiskars® SmartPower™ String Trimmers are being recalled, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) just announced.
Engine vibration, when trimmers are in use, can cause wear on the fuel line, which can lead to a propane fuel leak. The Straight Shaft Trimmers’ propane canister can also crack at the neck during use. And, high temperatures may develop near the Curved Shaft Trimmers’ plastic cutting guard, which can cause the guard to deform and fall off. All of these issues pose burn, fire, and laceration hazards to the user. To date, no incidents or injuries have been reported.
The defective Fiskars® SmartPower™ String Trimmers were manufactured in China; imported by Fiskars Brands, Inc., of Madison, Wisconsin; and sold at The Exchange stores, also known as the Army and Air Force Exchange Service or AAFES, and online at Amazon.com, Walmart.com, Powerequipmentdirect.com and SureSource.com, from January 2011 to July 2011 for between $220 and $280.
The recall involves the Fiskars® SmartPower™ Propane 4-Cycle Straight Shaft String Trimmer Model 67016935 and SmartPower™ Propane 4-Cycle Curved Shaft String Trimmer Model 67036946. Both trimmers use propane fuel.
“SmartPowerâ„¢” is printed on the lower shaft and near the pull-start handle. “Fiskars®” is printed on the engine cover and on the plastic cutting guard. The trimmers are black, silver and orange.
Fiskars is advising consumers to immediately stop using the recalled trimmers and contact Fiskars® to receive a full refund. Fiskars Brands toll-free number can be reached any time, 24 hours a day, at 1.877.495.6645, or at the firm’s website at www.fiskars.com.
