NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

CPSC And Bill's Dollar Stores Recall Electric Hair Dryers

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (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.