Recall: Ames True Temper Recall of Wheelbarrows

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 16, 2002 Release # 02-140

Ames Recall Hotline: (866) 239-2281 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: Yolanda Fultz-Morris, (301) 504-7066

CPSC, Ames True Temper Announce Recall of Wheelbarrows

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Ames True Temper Inc., of Camp Hill, Pa., is voluntarily recalling about 647,000 wheelbarrows. The plastic wheel assemblies on these wheelbarrows, manufactured by a predecessor company, can break when being inflated with high-pressure air hoses. This can result in plastic pieces exploding from the rims of the wheels, possibly hitting nearby consumers and causing lacerations and other injuries.

Ames True Temper has received eight reports of plastic rims fracturing, seven of which involve lacerations to consumers' hands, face, chest or arms. Some of the lacerations were severe, and required numerous stitches. One report involved nasal and other facial bone fractures, three reports involved finger or knuckle fractures, and one report included torn wrist ligaments caused by the force of the pieces striking a consumer.

The wheel assemblies on these wheelbarrows have a black plastic rim and have an approximately 14-inch diameter wheel. They have red, green or orange tubs or trays made of steel or plastic. The recalled Ames wheelbarrows were sold under the brand name "Mustang" or "Douglas." The brand name was printed on the label attached to the tray at the time of purchase. Wheelbarrows with metal wheel assemblies are not part of this recall. Also, no "True Temper" wheelbarrow is part of this recall.

Hardware stores and home centers nationwide sold the recalled wheelbarrows from January 1993 through December 2000 for between $20 and $30.

Consumers should not inflate the tires on these wheelbarrows. Consumers should contact Ames True Temper to receive a free replacement steel wheel assembly. For more information, call Ames True Temper toll-free at (866) 239- 2281 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

The recalled wheelbarrow wheels were manufactured and sold by O. Ames Company, a predecessor company of Ames True Temper.