FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 23, 2004
Release # 04-169
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Ames Recall Hotline: (866) 239-2281
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Kim Dulic (301) 504-7058
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CPSC, Ames True Temper Re-Announce Recall of Wheelbarrows –
Company Offering Gardening Tool Gift to Consumers with Repair
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC), Ames True Temper Inc., of Camp Hill, Pa., is again
voluntarily announcing the recall of about 647,000 wheelbarrows. The
plastic wheel assemblies on these wheelbarrows, manufactured by O. Ames,
a predecessor company of Ames True Temper, can break when the tires are
being inflated. 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 learned of additional serious incidents
involving the recalled wheelbarrows since the original recall
announcement. A total of 21 incidents have occurred from 1996 to the
present, including injuries involving hand, arm and facial fractures and
cuts. In a few cases, more serious and permanent injuries have been
reported.
To prevent further injuries, consumers should not inflate the
tires on these wheelbarrows. Ames True Temper is offering a free
replacement steel wheel assembly for each wheelbarrow and is offering
consumers a free gardening tool gift as an incentive to have this repair
performed.
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 and were sold
under the brand names “Easy Roller,” “Homeowner,” "Mustang," or
"Thoroughbred." 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. No “True Temper” or “Jackson” 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.
In addition to the free replacement wheel assembly and free
gardening tool incentive, the company is conducting the recall campaign
with new measures to reach home gardeners who are the primary users of
these recalled wheelbarrows. These new measures include placing ads in
gardening publications, providing recall information to editors and
webmasters of specialty gardening magazines and Web sites, and providing
new point-of-sale posters to retailers.
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, or visit
the company’s Web site at www.amestruetemper.com
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