CPSC and Best International Corp. Announce Hair Dryer Recall
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Best International Corp.
of Long Island City, N.Y., is recalling approximately 5,000
hand held hair dryers. Since these dryers do not have a full
immersion protection plug, they present a risk of
electrocution if dropped in water while the dryer is in the
"on" position. The hair dryers also present a fire hazard
due to inadequate wiring.
Before the use of immersion protection devices, there
were an average of 18 electrocutions involving hand-held
hair dryers each year. Since the introduction of immersion
protection devices for hand-held hair dryers, the number
decreased to two electrocution deaths in 1992.
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 either in
the "on" or "off" position. The recalled dryers do not have
this protection.
CPSC and Best International Corp. are not aware of any
injuries involving these hair dryers. This recall is being
conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.
The white colored plastic hair dryers come with dryer
attachments in a box labelled, "International Hair Styling
Set with 7 Attachments...HD-868." The hair dryer has the
words "Professional Styler Asbestos Free" printed on it.
Retailers in the metropolitan New York area, such as
bargain, discount, and $.99 stores, sold these hair dryers
from November 1995 to May 1996 for $9.99.
Consumers should stop using the recalled hair dryers
immediately and return them to the store where purchased for
a full refund. For more information, consumers should call
Best International Corp. at (718) 472-0860 from 1 to 5 p.m.
EST.
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.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission protects the public from the unreasonable risk of injury
or death from 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. To report a dangerous product
or a product-related injury and for information on CPSC's fax-on-demand service, call CPSC's hotline at (800)
638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270. To order a press release through fax-on-demand, call
(301) 504-0051 from the handset of your fax machine and enter the release number. Consumers can obtain this
release and recall information via Internet gopher services at cpsc.gov or report product hazards to
[email protected].