August 20, 2002
Black & Decker Announces Recall to Repair Cordless Drill/Drivers

Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc., of Towson, Md., is voluntarily recalling about 950,000 cordless drill/drivers. The drill’s switch can malfunction and overheat, posing the possibility of a fire hazard to consumers. Black & Decker has received 45 reports of drill switches overheating, causing two minor burns.

The recalled cordless drill/drivers are orange and bear the word "Firestorm" or jade and bear the words "Quantum Pro." The drill/drivers have the following model numbers and date codes:

Description	Model Number	Date Code Ranges
14.4 volt Firestorm	CD632	990852 thru 20005052
14.4 volt Firestorm	HP532	990152 thru 20001652
14.4 volt Firestorm	FS1442	20002252 thru 20011852
14.4 volt Quantum Pro	Q145	990252 thru 20001152
15.6 volt Firestorm	FS1560	993752 thru 20000752
18 volt Firestorm	FS1802	20002452 thru 20010652
18 volt Firestorm	HP932	990152 thru 20012452
18 volt Quantum Pro	Q185	990252 thru 20011052

The model numbers are located on the name plate on the side of the drill and the dates codes are located on the bottom of the handle where the battery is inserted (remove battery to locate date code). These drill/drivers were manufactured in China. Home centers and hardware stores throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada sold the drill/drivers from March 1999 through December 2001 for between $50 and $200. The drill/drivers were sold separately and as part of various tool kits.

Consumers should stop using their drill/drivers immediately, remove the battery, and call Black & Decker at (866) 821-5444 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday to arrange for a free repair. For additional information, consumers can log on to the company's website at http://www.blackanddecker.com/CustomerService/Default.asp?DOC_ID=CS_SA_FSD.