Rapid Reel(r) Recalls Portable Garden Hose Carts; Tires Can Explode Posing an Injury Hazard

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 Products: Portable Garden Hose Reel Carts and Wagons

Units: About 7,000

Importer: Eley Corporation, dba Rapid Reel of Lincoln, Neb.

Hazard: The tires on the portable garden hose reel can explode while being inflated, posing an injury hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Rapid Reel(r) has received five reports of tires exploding while being inflated, resulting in lacerations to fingers, arms, and legs from flying pieces of plastic.

Description: This recall involves the Rapid Reel(r) portable garden hose reel carts and wagons. The cart has two tires and the wagon has four. The tires have a white plastic rim and a steel ball bearing hub or a black plastic bearing hub.

Sold by: Home repair retailers and distributors such as Ace Hardware, Amazon.com, and True Value Hardware nationwide from April 2005 through March 2006 for between $190 and $250.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should not inflate tires on the portable hose carts and contact Rapid Reel(r) for free replacement tires.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Rapid Reel(r) toll-free at (866) 523-2363 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm's Web site at www.rapidreel.com