Model PRO1600 Hair Dryers

CPSC Recall #94-080 — May 23, 1994

Recall Summary

Recall Number94-080
Recall DateMay 23, 1994
Remedy TypeDispose, No Remedy Available
Units AffectedApproximately 900

Product

Model PRO1600 Hair Dryers

Description

PRODUCT: Approximately 900 model PRO1600 hair dryers manufactured by Hartman Products and sold by Wal-Mart stores between January 1992 and April 1993. These are beige-colored hair dryers with the words "MODEL PRO1600" embossed on the handle. PROBLEM: When plugged-in and turned "OFF," the hair dryer's heater could turn on by itself without turning on the fan. Some of these hair dryers have heater motor mounts that are molded from flammable material and could catch on fire. The company is aware of three alleged fire incidents. No injuries have been reported to date. These hair dryers are easily identified by looking at the back of the hair dryer. All hair dryers with flammable motor mounts have BLACK FANS. Hair dryers manufactured after August 7, 1993 have GRAY FANS and are not involved in this recall. WHAT TO DO: Consumers who have beige-colored model PRO1600 hair dryers with BLACK FANS should stop using them and discard or destroy them. The firm is out of business and cannot be contacted. WASHINGTON, DC -- CPSC, Hartman Products, Hawthorne, CA, is voluntarily recalled approximately 900 model PRO1600 hair dryers sold by Wal-Mart stores between January 1992 and April 1993. Hair dryers sold after April 1993 are not involved. When left plugged-in and turned "OFF," the hair dryer's heater could turn on by itself without turning on the fan. Some of these hair dryers have heater motor mounts that are molded from flammable material and could catch fire. The company is aware of three alleged incidents in which hair dryers plugged-in with switches in the "OFF" position caught fire. No injuries have been reported to date. The hair dryers, which sold for about $10, have the words "MODEL PRO1600" embossed on the handle. These hair dryers are easily identified by looking at the back of the hair dryer. Only beige hair dryers with BLACK FANS have flammable motor mounts. Hair dryers with GRAY FANS are not affected by this recall. All hair dryers sold after April 1993 have gray fans. Consumers who have hair dryers with black fans should immediately stop using them and discard or destroy them. The firm is out of business and cannot be contacted.

Hazard

When plugged-in and turned "OFF," the hair dryer's heater could turn on by itself without turning on the fan. Some of these hair dryers have heater motor mounts that are molded from flammable material and could catch on fire.

Incidents & Injuries

The company is aware of three alleged incidents in which hair dryers plugged-in with switches in the "OFF" position caught fire. No injuries have been reported to date.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers who have beige-colored model PRO1600 hair dryers with BLACK FANS should stop using them and discard or destroy them. The firm is out of business and cannot be contacted.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Dispose, No Remedy Available 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, No Remedy Available) 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.