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CPSC And Bill's Dollar Stores Recall Electric Hair Dryers

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Name of Product:
Electric Hair Dryers
Hazard:

The hand-held hair dryers that do not contain an immersion protection plug, which can prevent electrocution if the dryers are dropped in water.

Remedy:
Refund
Recall Date:
March 25, 1996
Units:

Approximately 12,000

Consumer Contact

CPSC Hotline: (800) 638-2772

Recall Details

Description:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - CPSC, Bill's Dollar Stores of Jackson, Miss., is recalling approximately 12,000 hand-held hair dryers that do not contain an immersion protection plug, which can prevent electrocution if the dryers are dropped in water.

Each year, between 15 and 20 people are electrocuted by hand-held hair dryers. Most of these deaths occurred when a hair dryer was immersed in water while the victim was bathing. About half of the electrocutions involved children under ten years old.

The current voluntary industry standard, which has been in effect since January 1, 1991, requires hand-held hair dryers to provide full immersion protection when in either the "on" or "off" position. The recalled dryers do not have this protection.

Bill's Dollar Stores sold the hand-held hair dryers throughout the southern United States between May 1995 and February 1996 for $5 each. The hair dryers were labeled either "International Professional Styler" or "Acesonic Professional Styler."

Consumers who own the hair dryers should stop using them and return the dryers to any Bill's Dollar Store for an exchange or refund.

When buying a hair dryer, consumers should look for a large, rectangular-shaped plug at the end of the cord. The certification mark of a recognized testing laboratory should also be visible on the hair dryer or on the hair dryer's packaging. However, even with this improved protection, under no circumstances should consumers use a hair dryer where it could come in contact with water. Electricity and water are a potentially deadly combination.

Remedy:

Consumers who own the hair dryers should stop using them and return the dryers to any Bill's Dollar Store for an exchange or refund.

Recall number:
96-085

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.

If you are experiencing issues with a recall remedy or believe a company is being non-responsive to your remedy request, please use this form and explain the situation to CPSC.

About the U.S. CPSC

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury 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. Since the CPSC was established more than 50 years ago, it has worked to ensure the safety of consumer products, which has contributed to a decline in injuries associated with these products.

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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