Conair "Wave Makers" curling iron, models CD 20M, CD 21M and CD 22M
CPSC Recall #88-049 - July 13, 1988
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 88-049 |
| Recall Date | July 13, 1988 |
| Remedy Type | Replace, Repair |
| Units Affected | Approximately 5,000 |
Product
Conair "Wave Makers" curling iron, models CD 20M, CD 21M and CD 22M
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Conair Corporation of Stamford, Conn., has recalled three models of its 1987 "Wave Makers" curling iron, model CD 20M, CD 21M and CD 22M. The curling irons may, under certain conditions, short circuit and ignite the line cord, presenting a potential thermal burn and fire hazard. The company has determined that no more than 5,000 of the approximately 76,000 curling irons which were sold to consumers between February and June, 1987 by a variety of retailers, are involved. In June, 1987, the company acted to obtain the return of unsold units of the three models from retailers. Eighty-two incidents of the line cord shorting or igniting have been reported. Approximately 20 of these incidents involved minor burn injuries. Three incidents were reported in April and May, 1988. The product has a mauve colored handle, a silver barrel and a white plastic cool tip. Each curling iron is identified as model CD 20M, CD 21M, or CD 22M, and with one of the following date codes: 01 87E, 02 87E, 03 87E, 04 87E, 05 87E, 04-87, and 05 87. The model number appears at the base of the handle, and the date code appears on one blade of the line cord plug. Consumers who identify their curling iron as recalled should stop using it, tag it with their name and address, and mail it to Conair Corporation/Wave Makers, 11 Executive Avenue, Edison, N.J. 08817. The company will repair or replace the curling iron and return it to the consumer within three weeks of receipt. Owners will be reimbursed for their return postage. As an alternative, owners may return their recalled curling iron to the retailer where purchased for a full refund. Owners should disregard this notice if their unit has already been repaired, or if the product label is marked "inspected" and the letter "R1' appears after the model number and on one of the plug blades. No other Conair curling iron nor appliances are subject to this recall. Consumers who have questions or need assistance may call Conair toll-free at 800-631-5391, weekdays, 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., EDT.
Hazard
The curling irons may, under certain conditions, short circuit and ignite the line cord, presenting a potential thermal burn and fire hazard.
Incidents & Injuries
Eighty-two incidents of the line cord shorting or igniting have been reported. Approximately 20 of these incidents involved minor burn injuries. Three incidents were reported in April and May, 1988.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers who identify their curling iron as recalled should stop using it, tag it with their name and address, and mail it to Conair Corporation/Wave Makers, 11 Executive Avenue, Edison, N.J. 08817. The company will repair or replace the curling iron and return it to the consumer within three weeks of receipt. Owners will be reimbursed for their return postage. As an alternative, owners may return their recalled curling iron to the retailer where purchased for a full refund. Owners should disregard this notice if their unit has already been repaired, or if the product label is marked "inspected" and the letter "R1' appears after the model number and on one of the plug blades.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace, Repair 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 (Replace, Repair) 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.