In recent news, more than 15 dangerous incidents have been reported to the Consumer Safety Product Commission (CPSC) after a series of “zombie chainsaws” stayed turned on even after they had been turned off by the operator. Manufactured in China, these tools were imported by Harbor Freight Tools located in Camarillo, California. The company received more than 15 such reports that included three involving laceration injuries and one that required stitches in the arm.

Following these reports, the CPSC published a nationwide recall to remove the chainsaws from the market given its hazardous nature and malfunctioning. The products were being sold under different brand names that include, “Portland,” “One Stop Gardens,” and “Chicago Electric 14 inch Electric Chainsaws”.

Harbor Freight Tools is a chain based discount store for hardware and other consumer products that has effectively managed to set its roots selling in markets that include re-selling returned and liquidated merchandise, fulfillment of tool based mail order that has been acquired from different chain stores. The company was founded in the year 1977 and has grown to a massive reach of 800 stores all over the nation.

Generally, tools that house substantial power to cut down a gigantic tree comes with a lot of power testing and safety features. All types of tools that include sandpaper, screwdrivers, hammers or saws come along with power based alternatives to provide ease of work. However, this particular set of chainsaws came with a manufacturing defect that caused them to remain on even after the power button was pushed to go off. The spinning of this sharp edge even after being stopped presents a significant risk which is why it was recalled from the US market. The chainsaws are being described as zombies given the fact that they do not die down even after being drained of power.

The recall came into effect on the 14th of May, 2018 when more than 1,020,000 chainsaws were recalled because of the threat they pose to its users.

Customers who have already bought the chainsaws can return them immediately to their local Harbor Freight Tools store. The units dispatched to replace these tools shall be available in the US market by the 21st of May 2018. The original price of these defective tools was approximately $50 which was available at the Harbor Freight Tool stores all over the country as well as online at the official website from 2009 till February 2018.

The CPSC is advising consumers to halt of the use of the recalled chainsaws to avoid any future incidents or injuries.