Milwaukee Electric Tool Co. Recalls Battery Packs Due To Laceration Hazard
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the Milwaukee Electric Tool Co., of Brookfield, Wis., announced a voluntary recall of the Milwaukee Power Plus, Chicago Pneumatic, and Extractor 14.4 and 18 volt 2.4 Ah NiCd battery packs due to explosion and laceration hazards. Consumers are advised to immediately stop using the recalled batteries.
If a vent on the battery cell is damaged or compromised during use the battery can explode and pose a laceration hazard to consumers. Milwaukee Electric Tool Co. has received 35 reports of incidents, including 11 injuries from battery packs exploding while in use. Injuries included minor cuts, bruises, and some hearing loss.
The recalled batteries are used to power drills, saws, radios, flashlights, wrenches, and Extractor windshield glass removers, and were sold at home centers, hardware stores, industrial distributors, and vehicle service distributors nationwide from July 1999 through 2005. They were manufactured in Mexico between July 1999 and February 2004. The brand name can be found on a label on most battery packs. However, some 14.4 Volt 2.4Ah packs do not have "Power Plus" on the label. The battery packs were sold both with tool kits and as individual battery packs. Battery packs manufactured after February 2004 are not included in this recall.
Consumers should contact the company to determine if they have one of the recalled batteries. A free replacement battery pack will be provided for consumers with recalled units. For more information, contact Milwaukee Electric Tool Co. at 800-729-3878 between 7 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday, or visit www.milwaukeetool.com.