Recall: Cordless Electric Lawn Mowers Recalled by Black & Decker

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 19, 2002 Release # 02-254

Black & Decker's Recall Hotline: (866) 229-5570 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: Yolanda Fultz-Morris, (301) 504-7066

CPSC, Black & Decker Announce Recall of Cordless Electric Lawn Mowers

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc., of Towson, Md., is voluntarily recalling to repair about 140,000 cordless electric lawn mowers. An electrical component in the lawn mower can overheat, posing a possible fire hazard.

Black & Decker has received 11 reports of electrical components overheating. One of these resulted in a minor hand burn and nine resulted in reports of minor property damage extending beyond the mower.

The mowers were sold under both the Black & Decker and Craftsman brand names. The recalled Black & Decker cordless electric lawn mowers have the model number CMM1000 or CMM1000R and date codes from 9534 through 200230, both of which are located on the silver and black label affixed to the rear door of the mower. The lawn mowers have either an orange or green deck cover with a black motor cover. The lawn mowers have the words "Black & Decker" and "Cordless" on top of the motor cover.

The Craftsman-brand mowers, which were sold at Sears, have model number 900.370520 and include all date codes. The model number is located on the silver and black label affixed to the rear door of the mower. The Sears lawn mowers have a dark green deck with a black motor cover. The lawn mowers have the words "Craftsman" and "24 Volt Cordless" on top of the motor cover.

Home centers, hardware and discount stores nationwide sold the Black & Decker lawn mowers from February 1996 through August 2002 for between $360 and $400. Craftsman-brand mowers were sold at Sears stores nationwide from January 1998 through December 2000 for between $360 and $400.

Consumers with either brand recalled lawn mower should stop using it immediately. Black & Decker mower owners should call Black & Decker toll-free at (866) 229-5570 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or log onto the company's web site at www.blackanddecker.com to receive information on the free repair.

Craftsman mower owners should take their mower to the nearest Sears store or Sears product repair center for a free repair.

Black & Decker recalled 1,300 cordless electric mowers with model number CMM1000R on January 23, 2002. For more information about that recall, contact Black & Decker at the toll-free number listed above.