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Eyelash Curlers

CPSC Recall #04-188 — July 28, 2004

Recall Summary

Recall Number04-188
Recall DateJuly 28, 2004
Remedy TypeReplace
Units Affected220,000
ManufacturerThe W.E. Bassett Company, of Shelton, Conn.
ImporterThe W.E. Bassett Company, of Shelton, Conn.
Manufactured InChina

Where It Was Sold

CVS
Meijer
Kroger
Rite Aid
SaveMart
Shopko
and Wal-Mart stores nationwide from September 2003 to June 2004 for between $3 and $4.

Product

Eyelash Curlers

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the W.E. Bassett Company, of Shelton, Conn. is voluntarily recalling 220,000 Eyelash Curlers. The plastic handles can detach and cause consumers to lose their grip, resulting in injuries to the eyes and face.Name of product: Eyelash CurlersUnits: 220,000Manufacturer/Importer: The W.E. Bassett Company, of Shelton, Conn.Hazard: The plastic handles can detach and cause consumers to lose their grip, resulting in injuries to the eyes and face.Incidents/Injuries: Bassett has received 11 reports of injuries from the grip handles breaking off, causing abrasions, contusions, and bruising in and around the eye.Description: The "Frosted Grip" eyelash curlers have pink-plastic handles and are sold with a rubber re-fill pad. The eyelash curlers were sold under various brand names including TRIM and Salon Plus. There are no identifying marks on the eyelash curler. However, item numbers are printed on the packaging. Item numbers involved in the recall include 5-87B (sold at Wal-Mart, CVS and Shopko), 5-87RA (sold at Rite Aid) and 5-87S (sold at Kroger).Sold at: CVS, Meijer, Kroger, Rite Aid, SaveMart, Shopko, and Wal-Mart stores nationwide from September 2003 to June 2004 for between $3 and $4.Manufactured in: ChinaRemedy: Consumers should stop using these eyelash curlers immediately and contact The W.E. Bassett Company for a prepaid mailer to return the eyelash curler for a free replacement plus a $5 off coupon towards any TRIM product.Consumer Contact: For more information, consumers should contact The W.E. Bassett Company toll-free at (800) 394-8746 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit their website at www.trim.com. 

Hazard

The plastic handles can detach and cause consumers to lose their grip, resulting in injuries to the eyes and face.

Incidents & Injuries

Bassett has received 11 reports of injuries from the grip handles breaking off, causing abrasions, contusions, and bruising in and around the eye.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using these eyelash curlers immediately and contact The W.E. Bassett Company for a prepaid mailer to return the eyelash curler for a free replacement plus a $5 off coupon towards any TRIM product.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

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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) at no cost to you.

Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product — whether recalled or not — you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.

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.

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