Portable generators are extremely useful for many situations, but can occasionally be dangerous, too. On Nov. 10, 2022, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall of over 320,000 Generac and DR brand portable generators sold between 2013 and 2021 due to consumer injury from a dangerous handle design.
This was the second announcement of the recall of these units—the first recall came in July 2021. Additional injuries after the first recall caused the CPSC to re-announce the recall. If you own a Generac or DR portable generator, keep reading to find out if it’s been recalled, the details of the recall and how to fix recalled units.
Why Were They Recalled?
According to the CPSC, the foldout handles of certain Generac and DR portable generators pose a risk to users’ fingers. The handles can potentially pinch, crush or even fully sever fingers when the generators are being moved. A total of 37 finger injuries connected with the handles of Generac and DR portable generators have been reported. Of these, 24 led to full finger amputations and five involved fingers being crushed.
Which Generators Were Recalled?
According to the CPSC and Generac themselves (Generac owns the DR brand), the recall includes certain 6500-watt and 8000-watt portable generators. This article from the CPSC lists the exact model numbers of all recalled units. These units were sold nationwide at retailers like Ace Hardware, Amazon, Blain’s Farm & Fleet, City Electric Supply, Costco, Do It Best, Fastenal, Home Depot, Lowe’s stores, Napa Auto Parts, Northern Tool + Equipment, Orgill, Power Equipment Direct, Ravitsky Bros., True Value, and W. W. Grainger from June 2013 through June 2021.
How to Know If Your Generator Was Recalled
If you own a Generac or DR brand portable generator, start by checking its wattage capacity. If it’s not either 6500 or 8000, your generator is not included in this recall. If your machine has one of the wattages in question, check the CPSC list and search for your machine’s model number or phone Generac directly at 1-888-436-3722. If you call, have your generator’s model and serial numbers ready.
How to Fix Recalled Generators
After the first recall announcement, Generac released a free handle guard kit for affected generator models. The idea was to make it harder to get your fingers caught between the generator frame and handle while the machine was being moved. After the second recall announcement, another measure was introduced in the form of a free handle spacer kit.
Find out if your generator is eligible for the handle spacer kit by noting the serial number, then cross-check it against this list of serial numbers on the Generac website.
Even if you don’t own a generator that’s been recalled, it’s important to be careful and diligent in using and maintaining your generator to avoid accidents and malfunctions. It’s also important to know how to choose a backup generator if you decide to replace yours.
