Wet/dry vacuums recalled because they pose a hazard to small children

Tuesday, December 16th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) _ The Emerson Tool Company is recalling some wet/dry vacuums after receiving 10 reports of children suffering minor cuts and scrapes on their fingers when they reached into the machines, the company said Tuesday.

The recall includes Craftsman 16-gallon and RIGID 12- and 16-gallon wet/dry vacuums. The vacuums pick up wet and dry debris and have an exhaust blower. On the recalled vacuums, the blower opening is large enough for a small child to reach inside and touch the spinning blower wheel, risking injury, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The company declined to say how many units were involved in the recall. The vacuums were sold nationwide at Home Depot stores and RIDGE Tool distributors between March 1999 and October 2002 and at Sears stores between September 1998 and October 2002. They sold for $70 to $300.

The vacuums were manufactured in the United States and Canada.

Consumers who purchased the recalled vacuums are urged to contact Emerson toll-free at 1-800-359-0179 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST Monday through Friday for a free insert that will eliminate the hazard. More information is available on the company's Web site at http://www.wetdryvacrecall.com.