Using a combination of voluntary efforts and compliance activities, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has worked to eliminate electrocution deaths associated with hand-held hair dryers. CPSC estimates these deaths will be eliminated by the year 2000.

In the early 1980's there was an average of 18 electrocutions each year involving hand-held hair dryers. Most of these deaths occurred when the hair dryer fell, or was pulled, into a bathtub of water. From 1990 through 1992, there was an average of only four electrocutions a year associated with hair care equipment. How did this decrease, from an average of 18 deaths a year to an average of 4 deaths a year, come about?

Recommendations by CPSC to improve the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) standard for hair dryers made a substantial impact. By March 1980, products were required to have a pictorial warning against the use of hair dryers in bathtubs included in the Use and Care Instructions and on a label permanently attached to the cord. On May 1, 1985, hair dryers were required to have a polarized attachment plug and to include literature about the need to install ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) in bathrooms. In October 1987, hair dryers were required to provide protection against electrocutions when the product was immersed in water with the switch off. Research by CPSC staff of the behavior of small children led to further CPSC recommendations to UL that protection be required in both the "on" and "off" positions. This requirement became effective on January 1, 1991.

Staff estimated that with protection only in the "off" position, about 8 deaths per year to children under 10 would continue to occur. With protection extended to the "on" position, the average number of deaths for 1990-1992 dropped to four per year, and in 1992 there were only two electrocution deaths involving hair dryers. Around the year 2000, CPSC expects no electrocutions due to hair dryer immersions when all the older, less safe hair dryers are replaced by the newer, complying models.

The ability to provide complete protection for hand-held hair dryers was the direct result of CPSC research into miniaturized GFCIs that demonstrated the feasibility of building electrocution protection into these products. A leading manufacturer further developed the technology so that now all hand-held hair dryers are completely protected using an inexpensive component. This is an example of the success that can be achieved through government, industry, and voluntary standards organizations working together to prevent deaths and injuries.

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