Black & Decker recalls 200,000 grass trimmers
Consumer safety officials say the Grasshog XP can cause lacerations and burns.
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Power tool maker Black & Decker is recalling about 200,000 grass trimmers because of safety concerns, federal officials said Tuesday.
The GH1000 Grasshog XP String Trimmer/Edgers can cause "serious" lacerations and burns, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
The Grasshog's spool cap and pieces of trimmer string can come loose and become airborne "posing a serious laceration hazard to the user, as well as bystanders," the CPSC said.
The electric-powered tool can also overheat and cause burns.
It was the second time in two years the Grasshog has been recalled.
Black & Decker recalled the tool in July 2007 after receiving more than 700 reports of incidents, including 58 reports of injuries.
Since then, the company has received more than 100 additional injury reports related to the Grasshog. Of those, 10 required medical attention for minor injuries such as bruises and lacerations, the CPSC said.
The Grasshog was sold at major home center and hardware stores nationwide from November 2005 through January 2007. It retails for about $70.
The CPSC said only models of the trimmer with black spool caps are being recalled; those with orange spool caps are not affected.
A Black & Decker (BDK, Fortune 500) spokesman said the company had no comment on the recall.