SaferProducts incident

Failure type

Fire / ignition

Incident narrative

SaferProducts.gov consumer incident report 20190814-47B98-2147379271. Severity: Injury, No First Aid or Medical Attention Received. Product: Ryobi SA1802 (18 Volt Cordless drill, 1/2 inch chuck, Teal with yellow highlights, drill has a removable bubble level and screw bit holder, another circular bubble level is located on the back of the drill behind the vents and a magnetic spot on the top of the base to hold loose screws or nuts while working.). Incident: I was outside my home preparing to repair an Ground Fault outlet and was using the drill to screw a couple of screws needed to attach the outlet to a 4x4 wooden post. As I pulled the drills trigger flames shot out of the vents at the rear of the drill burning the hair off my hand and wrist. I'm a fairly hairy guy and my missing hair is quite noticeable. I was lucky in the fact that a moment prior to squeezing the drills trigger I had had the area where the flames came out of next to my head and face. So I held the drill away from my body and squeezed the trigger again and sparks flew out of the same vents/holes at the rear of the drill. The drill continued to smoke for about 30 seconds. I removed the battery and now I don't have anyway to secure my outlet and I have bald patches on my hand and wrist.