CPSC, BISSELL® Homecare Inc. Announce Recall of Upright Vacuum Cleaners

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), BISSELL® Homecare Inc. of Grand Rapids, Mich., is recalling about 207,000 PowerCleanTM and PureAirTM upright vacuum cleaners. The power cord insulation can tear where the cord attaches to the vacuum, exposing bare wires. This poses a risk of shock and burns to consumers.

BISSELL is aware of 54 reports of the cords on these vacuums tearing. There has been one report of a consumer suffering a burn injury on her hand.

The recall includes one model of the BISSELL PowerCleanTM vacuum and three models of the BISSELL® PureAirTM vacuum cleaners. The PowerCleanTM vacuum has model number 3540-1 and is black. The PureAirTM vacuum has model number 3540-2 and is blue. The PureAirTM Deluxe vacuum has model number 3541, and is purple. The PureAirTM Platinum vacuum has model number 3541-P, and is purple. The model number is located on a label on the back of the vacuum. These vacuums have date codes from 98176000 through 99254999, located in the bottom right-hand corner of the label. The recalled vacuums do not have a 3-inch plastic flex relief where the power cord enters the vacuum handle.

Major discount, appliance and department stores sold these vacuum cleaners nationwide from July 1998 through March 2000 for between $89 and $159.

Consumers should stop using these vacuum cleaners immediately, and contact BISSELL to arrange for a free repair through BISSELL's authorized service network. Vacuums cannot be repaired by the retailers. For the location of the nearest authorized service center or for more information, contact BISSELL toll-free at (888) 445-6688 between 8 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit their web site at http://www.bissell.com/recall/recall_press_release.htm.