Recall fire hazard

State Fire Marshal, Bill Degnan, urges caution with handling fuel with snow blowers and the recent recall of these snow blowers due to leakage of gasoline reminds us to be cautious of where you store this equipment. Gasoline should be stored outside of the home and when storing your snow blowers in the garage do not overfill the gasoline tank and check for leaks to avoid a spill and fire. NH Association of Fire Chiefs President Chief Shawn Murray advises when refueling the snow blower let the motor cool and conduct the fueling a safe distance from your home. Should a fire occur during refueling it will not catch your home on fire said Murray. If you have one of these Honda snowblowers stop using immediately and contact the dealer for the service to repair the defect.

Firm's Recall Hotline: (888) 888-3139
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

American Honda Recalls Snow blowers Due to Fire Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Honda Snow blowers

Units: About 18,500

Importer: American Honda Motor Co. Inc., of Torrance, Calif.

Hazard: The fuel tank joint and o-ring located on the underside of the fuel tank can seep or drip fuel over time, posing a fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Honda has received 90 reports of fuel either seeping or dripping. No fires have been reported.

Description: This recall involves Honda snow blowers with model numbers and frame serial numbers listed below. The snow blowers are red and black. The frame serial number is located on the rear of the machine just below the engine. The name Honda and the model number are located on the side of the front scoop.

Sold at: Honda Power Equipment dealers nationwide from April 2005 through November 2010 for between $2,000 and $3,400.

Manufactured in: Japan

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled snowblowers and contact any Honda Power Equipment dealer to arrange for a free fuel tank joint and o-ring replacement. Registered owners of the recalled snowblowers will be mailed a notice.Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Honda at (888) 888-3139 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.hondapowerequipment.com.

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including a picture of the recalled product, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11082.html.