The Recall Desk
HighCPSC·97165·Announced 1997-07-31

Homelite Recalls Gasoline-Powered Backpack Blowers Due to Fire Hazard

Homelite is recalling over 80,000 gasoline-powered backpack blowers because fuel lines may crack and leak, creating a fire hazard.

What this means for you

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a fire hazard with reported injuries (one burn injury) and fires, but no deaths or serious injuries are reported, fitting the 'High' criteria for risk-of-harm products where injury has been reported but is not severe.

Plain-English summary

Homelite Inc. is voluntarily recalling over 80,000 model BP-250 gasoline-powered backpack blowers in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The recall addresses a defect where fuel lines routed too closely to the engine cylinder can crack and leak fuel, presenting a fire hazard to consumers.

The affected blowers are mostly red with black components, measure 2.5 feet high and 1.5 feet wide, and feature a 30 cubic centimeter engine. They were sold nationwide by authorized Homelite dealers, including lawn and garden and building supply stores, from October 1994 through December 1996 for approximately $200. The specific units involved have UT numbers UT 08017F or UT 08017G and serial numbers ranging from HP2000001 through HP3659999, HQ0010001 through HQ3659999, and HR0010001 through HR2109999, located on a sticker attached to the fuel tank.

Homelite has received five reports of fuel lines leaking, which have been associated with two fires and one burn injury resulting in a slightly singed back. Consumers should stop using the blowers immediately and take them to the nearest Homelite servicing dealer for repair. For the name of the nearest dealer or more information, consumers can call Homelite Inc. at (800) 242-4672 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday.

The recalled product

Product
Homelite gasoline-powered backpack blowers
Manufacturer
Homelite
Category
Consumer Product — Power Tools
Hazard

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same hazard · fire

See all →