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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 about 265,000 18-volt cordless drill/drivers.
The drill's switch can malfunction and overheat, posing the possibility
of a fire hazard to consumers.
Black & Decker has received twenty reports of melting, smoking, or
fires in the drills, including two minor burn injuries.
The recalled 18-volt, cordless drill/drivers are orange or jade and
have the words, "Black & Decker" printed on the body of the drill.
The drill/drivers have the following model numbers and date codes:
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Model
Number
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Date
Codes
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Color
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CD1800
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20011952
through 20020652
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Orange
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PS3700
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973652
through 983052
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Jade
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PS3725
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20003852
through 20013652
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Jade
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PS3750
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20002454
through 20005252
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Jade
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The model number
is printed on the nameplate on the side of the drill and the date
code is printed on the bottom of the handle where the battery is inserted
(remove the battery to locate date code). The recalled units were
manufactured in China.
Mass merchandisers, home centers and hardware stores nationwide sold
the drill/drivers from September 1997 through February 2002 for between
$50 and $80. The drill/drivers were sold separately and as part of
various tool kits.
Consumers should stop using the drill/drivers immediately, remove
the battery, and contact Black & Decker toll-free at (866) 821-5444
between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday to receive a
free repair. For additional information, consumers can log on to the
company's website at www.blackanddecker.com.
No other models or date codes are affected by this recall to repair.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting
the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from
more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction.
Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents
cost the nation more than $700 billion annually. The CPSC is committed
to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire,
electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard or can injure children.
The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as
toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals
- contributed significantly to the 30 percent decline in the rate
of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the
past 30 years.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's
hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270,
or visit CPSC's web site at www.cpsc.gov/talk.html.
Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC's
Web site at www.cpsc.gov.
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