The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereCPSC·80017·Announced 1980-05-08

D.B. Smith Recalls Air-Compression Sprayers Due to Explosion Risk

D.B. Smith is recalling over 40,000 air-compression home and garden sprayers because a defective weld may cause the tank to explode or rupture during use.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a structural defect leading to explosions and reported significant injuries, including broken limbs and severe facial trauma, which aligns with the rubric criteria for Severe (4) involving significant injury reports.

Plain-English summary

D.B. Smith and Company, Inc. is voluntarily recalling more than 40,000 air-compression home-and-garden sprayers in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The affected sprayers, made of galvanized steel with tank capacities ranging from 1.5 to 4.0 gallons, were manufactured between June 1977 and June 1978 and sold nationwide for approximately $15 to $30. The recall covers specific models sold under the brand names Smith, Servistar, Parco, State Chemical, and Metra Chem, identifiable by specific model numbers and date codes etched on the side of the canister.

The recall is being conducted because an improperly located weld on some units weakens the bottom of the tank, which can cause the sprayer to rupture or explode when pressurized. The manufacturer has reported 49 consumer complaints, including 43 injuries since April 1978. Reported injuries include severe facial and dental injuries and broken arms and hands resulting from the sprayer bottom blowing out and propelling the unit and its contents upward.

Consumers who own one of the recalled sprayers should stop using it immediately. They should empty the contents, remove the strap, pump, and hose-and-nozzle assembly, and mail the metal canister to Marimar Manufacturing Company, Inc., or return it to the place of purchase for a free replacement. Consumers will be reimbursed for postage costs. Those wishing to verify model numbers and date codes can contact CPSC's toll-free hotline.

The recalled product

Product
Metra Chem air-compression home-and garden sprayers
Manufacturer
Smith
Category
Consumer Product — Garden Equipment
Hazard

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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