For Immediate Release
May 29, 2003
Release # 03-135

CMD Recall Hotline: (800) 210-9949
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Contact: Ken Giles (301) 504-7908

CPSC, Conceptual Marketing & Development, Inc., Announce Recall
of Weed Cutting Attachment Blades

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission, Conceptual Marketing & Development Inc., of
Lincoln, Calif., is voluntarily recalling approximately 1.1 million
metal
blades for their model 4650 weed cutting attachment. The blades can
break off and hit consumers causing severe impact and laceration
injuries.

CMD and the commission are aware of 16 reports of blades breaking,
resulting in 12 injuries. Injuries have ranged from lacerations
requiring stitches to tendon and bone injuries.

Only cast aluminum metal alloy blades are included in the recall.
The blades measure 1/4 inch thick, 1 inch wide and 4 inches long, and
are a dull silver color. Blades that are either smooth on the bottom or
have ridges are included in the recall. All of the blades were made in
the U.S.A.

Home improvement and hardware stores nationwide sold the blades
with the weed cutting attachments, or separately as replacements, from
November 1999 through December 2001.The model 4650 weed cutter with
blades sold for about $15 and a set of three replacement blades sold
for

about $6.

Consumers should stop using the recalled blades immediately and
contact CMD for free replacements. Consumers can contact CMD at (800)
210-9949 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.

To see a picture of the recalled product, please go to:

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml03/03135.html

Those things seemed like a bad idea to me from the get go. The whole point
of a string trimmer is that it's relatively safe to use-- IF you use the
intended string.

-Tim