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Flying parts prompt recall of Black & Decker trimmer

Black & Decker has voluntarily recalled a line of electric-powered trimmers after 58 consumers reported injuries from lacerations and cuts due to flying parts.

The Black & Decker brand GH1000 Grasshog XP String Trimmer/Edger, which is manufactured in China, has received 707 complaints. In two serious injury reports, consumers had their legs cut and required medical attention. Listed among the minor injuries was a welt and broken skin over a user's eye, bruises, lacerations and facial injuries. There were also reports of property damage, including two shattered windows.

Black & Decker has warned consumers to immediately stop using the trimmers. The company said the safety hazard to users and bystanders is due to a faulty trimmer/edger's spool, spool cap and pieces of trimmer string that can come loose during use. The loosened parts risk becoming "airborne projectiles" and the trimmers can also overheat, posing a burn hazard to consumers, the company said.

Trimmers with date codes 200546 through 200645 (representing manufacturing dates of Nov. 14, 2005, through Nov. 6, 2006) are included in this recall. Consumers can find the date code on the underside of the trimmer's handle. Trimmers with black spool caps are included in the recall, but products with orange spool caps are not.

Black & Decker urges consumers to contact them for a free repair kit.

Consumers can contact Black & Decker at 888-742-9158 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, and the firm’s website.