Community Corner

Harbor Freight Drills Recalled

The national chain has a store in Connecticut.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Harbor Freight Tools, has announced a voluntary recall of cordless drills sold at the stores.

Harbor Freight has an outlet at the Tr-City Plaza on Route 83 at Vernon Circle.

About 108,000 were sold by Harbor Freight, based in Camarillo, CA, the agency said.             

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The black trigger switch on the 19.2v cordless drill can overheat, posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers, according to the agency. Harbor Freight Tools has received one report of a drill overheating and burning through the handle of the unit, which resulted in a consumer receiving a minor injury, according to the agency.


The recall involves the Harbor Freight Tools drill model 96526. The drills are blue and black and have a black trigger switch. They have a 19.2v rechargeable battery pack. The drill's model number is located on a yellow label on the left side of the drill. "Made in China" appears in black and red lettering on a yellow warning sticker located on the right side of the unit.

The drills were sold at Harbor Freight Tools stores nationwide, via catalog and online at www.harborfreight.com from April, 2008 through May 2012 for between $27 and $30, according to the agency.

They were manufactured in China, according to the CPSC.

The agency indicated that consumers should stop using the recalled drill immediately, remove the battery and contact Harbor Freight Tools to receive a free replacement drill.

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Consumers can contact Harbor Freight Tools at 800 444-3353, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. PST, Monday through Friday, or www.harborfreight.com and click on Recall Safety Information under Customer Service for more information. Consumers can also e-mail the company at recalls@harborfreight.com.

To view the recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled product, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml13/13047.html

The recall was announced Wedensday.


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