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Hazardous Hair Dryers Recalled

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Name of Product:
Hand-held hair dryers
Hazard:

In 1987, the voluntary standard was revised to require protection against electrocution when hair dryers are immersed with switches in the "off" position. The recalled hair dryers do not meet this standard.

Remedy:
Refund
Replace
Recall Date:
August 14, 1989
Units:

250,000

Consumer Contact

For further information, consumers may call CPSC's toll-free Hotline at 800-638-CPSC.

Recall Details

Description:

WASHINGTON D.C. -- The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) today announced the recall of 250,000 hand-held hair dryers because of a potential electrocution hazard. The commission also warned that some 80 million hair dryers sold before 1987, the effective date of the current voluntary safety standard, continue to pose a threat to consumers.

"We estimate that 17 Americans are electrocuted each year in accidents involving hand-held hair dryers," said Anne Graham, Acting CPSC Chairman. "Ten of those yearly deaths involve children under 10 years old. This latest recall is part of our larger and ongoing effort to reduce deaths and injuries." The following firms and models are involved in the voluntary recall:

 

Firm

Models 

MBR Industries, Inc.
Miami, FL

Mustang Electronics, Inc.
Hallandale, FL

Major International, Inc.
Orange, CA

China Bazaar
San Francisco, CA

Pomair Pro 2100 and 1900


Mustang MU 2100


Major Styling Dryer
Model 1250

Minimate Hair Dryer and Iron DS-601 (all units stopped in inventory; no consumer sales)

 

Since 1980, hair dryers have included labels warning consumers of the electrocution hazard posed by immersion. In spite of these warnings, electrocutions have continued.

In 1987, the voluntary standard was revised to require protection against electrocution when hair dryers are immersed with switches in the "off" position. The recalled hair dryers do not meet this standard. Consumers should return them to the place of purchase for refund or replacement.

In addition, CPSC warns, approximately 80 million hair dryers manufactured before 1987 do not provide immersion safeguards with the switch in either the "off" or "on" position.

Acting Chairman Graham said, "CPSC investigations have shown that children often use these appliances as devices for bath-time play. one scenario we have seen involves one or more children left unattended in a bathtub when a parent leaves momentarily. Too often the parent returns to find that a child has brought a hair dryer into the tub, electrocuting one or both of the children. While any child's death is tragic, these electrocutions are particularly devastating because they are all preventable."

The agency also urged consumers to have Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) installed to reduce the chance of electrocution. "At the very least," Graham added, "small appliances like hair dryers and curling irons should never be left plugged in, especially in homes with children."

Remedy:

Consumers should return the hair dryers to the place of purchase for refund or replacement.

Incidents/Injuries:

We estimate that 17 Americans are electrocuted each year in accidents involving hand-held hair dryers. Ten of those yearly deaths involve children under 10 years old.

Recall number:
89-076

Note: Individual Commissioners may have statements related to this topic. Please visit www.cpsc.gov/commissioners to search for statements related to this or other topics.

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About the U.S. CPSC

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products has contributed to a decline in the rate of injuries associated with consumer products over the past 50 years.

Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC.

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