NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs

Washington, DC 20207



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 10, 2007
Release #07-234

Company Recall Hotline: (800) 729-3878
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Batteries Used with Power Tools Recalled by Milwaukee Electric Tool
Co. Due To Laceration Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 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.

Name of Product: Milwaukee Power Plus, Chicago Pneumatic, and
Extractor 14.4 and 18 volt 2.4 Ah NiCd battery packs

Units: About 1 million

Manufacturer/Importer: Milwaukee Electric Tool Co., of Brookfield,
Wis.

Hazard: If a vent on the battery cell is damaged or compromised during
use, the battery can explode and pose a laceration hazard to
consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Milwaukee Electric Tool Co. has received 35
reports of incidents, including 11 injuries from battery packs
exploding while in use. Injuries include minor cuts, bruises and some
hearing loss.

Description: The recalled batteries are used to power drills, saws,
radios, flashlights, wrenches and Extractor windshield glass removers.
The recall includes 14.4 and 18 volt 2.4 Ah NiCd Milwaukee Power Plus,
Chicago Pneumatic, and Extractor battery packs manufactured 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 did 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.

Sold by: Home centers, hardware stores, industrial distributors and
vehicle service distributors nationwide from July 1999 through 2005.

Manufactured in: Mexico

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled battery
packs. Consumers should contact the Milwaukee Electric Tool Co. to
determine if they have one of the recalled batteries. The company will
provide a free replacement battery pack for consumers with recalled
units.

Consumer Contact: 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 the firm’s Web site at www.milwaukeetool.com
http://www.milwaukeetool.com/us/en/site.nsf/vwPromos/76ADD0B77ECDCB378625730C006DCBE0/$FILE/Recall%20Website%20PDF.pdf?OpenElement
(pdf)



To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the
recalled products, please go to:

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07234.html