Recall: Sold at Walmart, Target and Amazon

"Product Recall" sign held by person in suit.

Over 56,000 Remington hair dryers sold exclusively through major online retailers pose a deadly electrocution risk, exposing how e-commerce giants failed to catch a basic safety defect that could have killed unsuspecting American families.

Story Highlights

56,300 Remington hair dryers recalled for lacking critical electrocution protection device
Sold exclusively online through Walmart, Target, and Amazon marketplaces for over a year
No injuries reported yet, but devices pose serious shock hazard if dropped in water
Recall exposes gaps in online marketplace safety oversight and product vetting

Major Online Retailers Failed Basic Safety Screening

Empower Brands and the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall of Remington model D3190DCDN hair dryers on August 14, 2025. The devices completely lack immersion protection devices, a standard safety feature required in modern hair dryers. This critical oversight allowed potentially lethal products to reach American consumers through the nation’s largest online marketplaces between March 2024 and June 2025.

The recall highlights concerning gaps in how online platforms vet products before allowing sales to millions of customers. Unlike traditional retail stores that often conduct their own safety assessments, these marketplace platforms relied entirely on manufacturer claims without independent verification of basic safety compliance.

E-Commerce Safety Oversight Proves Inadequate

The exclusive online-only distribution of these hazardous hair dryers reveals troubling weaknesses in digital marketplace safety protocols. Traditional brick-and-mortar retailers typically maintain stricter product safety standards and direct relationships with manufacturers. Online marketplaces, however, often operate with less stringent oversight, allowing third-party sellers to list products with minimal safety verification.

This recall demonstrates how rapid e-commerce growth has outpaced regulatory safeguards designed to protect American consumers. The CPSC’s intervention came only after the dangerous products had circulated for over a year, reaching tens of thousands of households across the country. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported, but the potential for tragedy was real and preventable.

Consumer Safety Depends on Personal Vigilance

Americans who purchased these Remington hair dryers must stop using them immediately and contact the retailer for full refunds. The recall serves as a stark reminder that consumers cannot rely solely on major retailers to ensure product safety. Families must remain vigilant about recalls and safety notices, especially for electrical appliances that pose inherent risks when used near water in bathrooms.

This incident underscores the importance of supporting American manufacturing and traditional retail channels that maintain higher safety standards. When global supply chains prioritize speed and cost over safety, American families pay the price through exposure to preventable hazards that regulatory agencies catch only after products reach the market.