The Recall Desk
HighCPSC·96085·Announced 1996-03-25

Bill's Dollar Stores Recalls Electric Hair Dryers Lacking Immersion Protection

Bill's Dollar Stores is recalling approximately 12,000 hand-held hair dryers sold in the southern United States because they lack immersion protection plugs, posing an electrocution risk.

What this means for you

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk-of-harm product (electrocution) where no specific injuries or deaths are reported in this notice, fitting the 'High' severity criteria for theoretical or unreported harm risks.

Plain-English summary

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Bill's Dollar Stores of Jackson, Miss., are recalling approximately 12,000 hand-held hair dryers. The recalled units, labeled either "International Professional Styler" or "Acesonic Professional Styler," do not contain an immersion protection plug. This safety feature is required by industry standards to prevent electrocution if the device is dropped in water.

The recall covers hair dryers sold throughout the southern United States between May 1995 and February 1996 for $5 each. The source notes that hand-held hair dryers without this protection pose a risk of electrocution, particularly if immersed in water while a user is bathing. The CPSC states that between 15 and 20 people are electrocuted by hand-held hair dryers each year, with about half of these incidents involving children under ten years old.

Consumers who own these hair dryers should stop using them immediately. They should return the dryers to any Bill's Dollar Store for an exchange or refund. When purchasing hair dryers, consumers are advised to look for a large, rectangular-shaped plug and a certification mark from a recognized testing laboratory, and to never use a hair dryer where it could come into contact with water.

The recalled product

Product
CPSC And Bill's Dollar Stores Recall Electric Hair Dryers
Manufacturer
International
Category
Consumer Product — Personal Care Appliances
Hazard

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same hazard · electrocution

See all →