Homelite Backpack Blowers Recalled Due to Leaking Fuel, Fire Hazard

They may produce the most annoying noise in the world, but about 85,000 Homelite backpack blowers commonly used by gardeners in place of brooms may leak gasoline, posing a fire and injury risk.

Homelite Consumer Products Inc. of Anderson, S.C. and the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the voluntary recall after the company received 18 reports of fuel tanks on the units leaking, including one report of a user suffering skin irritation.

Two models of Homelite Mighty Lite backpack blowers are involved in the recall. The recalled blowers are red and black and were manufactured in China. The following models with the manufacturing date code ranges indicated are included:

• UT08580 — ATK1820001 through ATK3659999

• UT08580A — ATL1530001 through ATL3669999 and ATM0010001 through ATM1749999

The model number and manufacturing date code are printed on the blower’s data label, which is located on the red plastic housing above the choke knob and adjacent to the fuel tank, the CPSC said. Products with a green “dot” on the outside of the package or the letters “CA” embossed on the fuel tank are not included in the recall, officials said.

Sold at Home Depot Stores Nationwide

The recalled backpack blowers were sold at Home Depot stores nationwide and other retailers, including Direct Tools Factory Outlets, CPO Homelite, Gardner, Tap Enterprises, Isla Supply, and Heartland America stores from September 2007 through October 2009 for between $90 and $140, the CPSC said.

Consumers should stop using the recalled backpack blowers immediately and contact Homelite to find the closest dealer location to schedule a free fuel tank replacement, the recall notice says.

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