Product recallOPSS
Professional Hair Straightener recalled over an electric shock risk
Product recall for professional hair straighter presenting a serious risk of electric shock.
Product image from the OPSS safety notice 
What to do now
Professional Hair Straightener could give an electric shock. Live parts may be reachable, or the insulation or earthing may not be good enough.
- Switch it off at the wall and unplug it. Do not use it again, even briefly.
- Do not attempt a home repair or a different plug.
- Use the contact details in the official notice to arrange a refund, repair or replacement.
- Incidents and injuries can be reported to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice consumer helpline.
Why it matters. Mains electricity in the UK is 230 volts, enough to cause serious injury or death. Cheap chargers, adaptors and appliances sold online are among the products most often found with this fault.
If someone has been hurt
Look out for
- burns where the current entered or left the body
- tingling, numbness or muscle pain
Get help urgently
- anyone who has had a mains shock and is confused, has chest pain, an irregular heartbeat or burns — call 999. Do not touch them until the power is off
This is general information based on NHS public guidance, not medical advice. In an emergency call 999. For urgent advice use NHS 111 (NHS 24 on 111 in Scotland) or, in Northern Ireland, your GP or out-of-hours service.
Refunds, repairs and replacements
In a recall, the business responsible arranges the remedy, which may be a refund, a repair, a replacement or a free part. The notice says which one applies.
Your rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 also apply: goods must be safe, of satisfactory quality and as described. Within 30 days of purchase you can usually reject faulty goods for a full refund.
From the official notice
Published by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (2012-0157). Quoted as issued.
Summary
Product recall for professional hair straighter presenting a serious risk of electric shock.
The risk
The UK 3-pin adaptor supplied with the product is poorly built, with insufficient distance between the plug and the edge. In addition, the plug is not fused. This puts the user at risk of coming into contact with live pins when plugging the adaptor into or removing from the socket which is not electrically isolated, leading to an electric shock.
The product does not meet the requirements of the Plugs & Sockets (Safety) Regulations 1994.
Action taken
Recall of the product from end users and listing removed by the online marketplace (Wish).
Advice to consumers
The product has been recalled from the end users.
The listing has been removed by the online marketplace (Wish).
Additional information
PSD case number: 2012-0157
Notified by: Office for Product Safety and Standards
Product description
Black hair straightening product with steam vents and two pin plug with UK adaptor. Packaged in black and yellow cardboard packaging.
Open the OPSS notice
Questions
Why has Professional Hair Straightener been recalled?
Professional Hair Straightener could give an electric shock. Live parts may be reachable, or the insulation or earthing may not be good enough. Mains electricity in the UK is 230 volts, enough to cause serious injury or death. Cheap chargers, adaptors and appliances sold online are among the products most often found with this fault.
How do I know if my product is affected?
The notice describes the affected product rather than listing codes. Compare the product name, pack size and where you bought it with the official notice.
What should I do now?
Switch it off at the wall and unplug it. Do not use it again, even briefly. Do not attempt a home repair or a different plug.
Can I get a refund or a repair?
In a recall, the business responsible arranges the remedy, which may be a refund, a repair, a replacement or a free part. The notice says which one applies. Your rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 also apply: goods must be safe, of satisfactory quality and as described. Within 30 days of purchase you can usually reject faulty goods for a full refund.
Where was Professional Hair Straightener sold?
The notice names Wish. Products bought elsewhere are covered too if they match the details listed.
