December 31st, 2010

Approximately 18,500 Honda snowblowers have been recalled in the US due to a fire hazard. According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, “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.”

This is only the latest in a slew of fire-hazard related recalls. QVC and Michaels have both recalled candle holders due to fire hazards, and Fagor America, Inc  recalled refrigerators due to a fire hazard.

Those who own a Honda snowblower affected by the recall can arrange for a free fuel tank joint and O-ring replacement at their local dealer.  Those who actually mailed in their registration card will be sent a letter in the mail letting them know that their snowblower could catch fire and that they should get it fixed.

This is one of those recalls you don’t see coming.  Now, the spinning teacandle holder seems like a no-brainer to me. However, you would like to think that engineers would have designed a machine that wouldn’t catch fire doing its intended purpose.

The affected units were manufactured in Japan. More information, including the listing of lot numbers affected by the recall can be found at the US Consumer Product Safety Commission Web site.