| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 29, 2002 Release # 02-238 |
Hairdryer Recall Hotline: (800) 726-4202 CPSC Media Contact: Ken Giles, (301) 504-7052 |
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Babyliss Pro, of Stamford, Conn., is voluntarily recalling about 23,000 hairdryers. The hairdryers do not have an immersion protection device on the power cord and could present a serious electrocution hazard if exposed to water.
CPSC and Babyliss Pro have not received any reports of incidents. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injuries.
The recalled hairdryers have the model number BAB2002BLX, are rated at 1875 watts, and are pistol-shaped. The model number is printed on the barrel of the hairdryer and a label on the side reads, "BABYLISS 2002BLX." The hairdryer also has a hang tag that reads in part, "FOR PROFESSIONAL USE ONLY, DESIGNED EXCLUSIVELY FOR LICENSED COSMETOLOGISTS. THIS UNIT IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN ALCI OR GFCI DEVICE...WARNING - KEEP AWAY FROM WATER." These hairdryers were manufactured in China.
Duane Reede Drug Stores in the metropolitan New York area; Metro Beauty in Miami, Fla.; and Bu-Ba Beauty in Reseda, Calif. sold these hairdryers between December 2000 and January 2002 for about $50. These hairdryers were intended for professional use, but could have been sold to consumers for personal use.
Consumers should stop using the hairdryers immediately and return them to Babyliss Pro for a free replacement unit with an immersion protection device. For information on how to return the hairdryer to the company, call Babyliss Pro at (800) 726-4202 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. 
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to help ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household chemicals -– contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 40 years.
Federal law bars any person from selling products subject to a publicly-announced voluntary recall by a manufacturer or a mandatory recall ordered by the Commission.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury go online to www.SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC's Hotline at 800-638-2772 or teletypewriter at 301-595-7054 for the hearing impaired. Consumers can obtain news release and recall information at www.cpsc.gov, on Twitter @USCPSC or by subscribing to CPSC's free e-mail newsletters.
Please use the below phone number for all media requests.
Phone: (301) 504-7908
Spanish: (301) 504-7800