Hand-held hair dryers sold under the name "Pomair".
CPSC Recall #97-092 — March 30, 1997
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 97-092 |
| Recall Date | March 30, 1997 |
| Remedy Type | Dispose, Refund |
| Manufacturer | MBR Industries Inc. of Miami, Fla. |
Where It Was Sold
| Independent discount |
| hardware |
| and variety stores nationwide sold the hair dryers from May 1994 through September 1996 for about $6. |
Product
Hand-held hair dryers sold under the name "Pomair".
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), MBR Industries Inc. of Miami, Fla., is recalling about 55,000 hand-held hair dryers sold under the name "Pomair." The dryers' thermostats could malfunction causing the dryers to overheat, which presents a fire hazard. Additionally, the dryers do not have a full immersion protection plug to protect against electrocution if they fall into water. 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. 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. MBR is aware of one report of a hair dryer overheating and catching on fire while in use, but no injuries were reported. The black, burgundy, or beige plastic hair dryers display the words "Professional Styler by Pomair Asbestos Free." "Model 600-53000" is imprinted on the back of the handle under the "Pomair" trademark. The dryers have ordinary plugs rather than ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI's) or similar devices to prevent electric shocks. The dryers were packaged in cardboard boxes labeled, "Pomair Asbestos Free Pro 1800 Hair Dryer/Styler." Independent discount, hardware, and variety stores nationwide sold the hair dryers from May 1994 through September 1996 for about $6. Consumers should stop using the recalled hair dryers immediately and return them to the stores where purchased for a full refund. For more information, consumers can call MBR at (800) 325-0015. Consumers who live in Florida can call MBR collect at (305) 769-1000. When buying a hair dryer, consumers should look for a large, rectangular-shaped plug at the end of the cord indicating the presence of a GFCI. 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.
Hazard
The dryers' thermostats could malfunction causing the dryers to overheat, which presents a fire hazard.
Incidents & Injuries
MBR is aware of one report of a hair dryer overheating and catching on fire while in use, but no injuries were reported.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using the recalled hair dryers immediately and return them to the stores where purchased for a full refund.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Dispose, Refund at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Dispose, Refund) at no cost to you.
If the product caused a fire or burn injury, document the incident with photos and preserve the product if it is safe to do so. Report the incident to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov and to your local fire department. Contact the manufacturer to inform them of the incident — they are required to track and report injuries to CPSC. You may also want to consult a personal injury attorney, as fire and burn injuries caused by defective products can be grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer.
In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.
If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.