Urgent UK recall includes a hair dryer: what to check at home

The UK’s Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has issued an urgent recall affecting six consumer products, including a hair dryer, heaters and children’s toys. If you style your hair at home, this is the sort of update that’s easy to miss—yet genuinely worth five minutes of your time, because powered beauty tools and heat appliances sit right at the intersection of daily convenience and electrical safety.

While the original notice relates to a range of items (not just hair tools), the practical takeaway for haircare is clear: if you own an electrical styler—especially an older one, a marketplace purchase, or a product with limited labelling—now is the moment to double-check the make, model and any recall information. Many stylists recommend treating electrical safety as part of your routine maintenance, alongside cleaning filters and replacing worn accessories.

What the OPSS recall means for hair tools (and why it matters)

OPSS is the UK body that supports product safety and helps coordinate alerts and enforcement when items are found to pose risks (for example, electrical faults or overheating hazards). Recalls can be issued for a variety of reasons, but in day-to-day terms they mean: stop using the affected product if you have it, and follow the brand or retailer’s instructions on returns, repairs or refunds.

For hair dryers and heated styling tools, the biggest safety watch-outs tend to be electrical integrity and heat control. A dryer that runs unusually hot, smells of burning, has a cracked casing, or intermittently cuts out should be treated as a red flag even if it isn’t part of a recall. Likewise, extension leads and bathroom-adjacent use add extra risk—UK safety guidance typically urges caution with electrics near water and recommends plugging high-power appliances directly into a suitable wall socket.

How to check whether your hair dryer is affected (in under 10 minutes)

The Mirror report notes the OPSS recall covers six items, including a hair dryer. Even if you’re not sure where your tool came from, you can still run a quick identification check. This is also a smart habit to apply to straighteners, hot brushes, heated rollers and salon-style dryers.

• Find the rating label: Look on the handle, barrel, plug or underside for the manufacturer name, model number and electrical rating (watts/voltage). Photograph it for your records.
• Check the retailer and order confirmation: If you bought online, search your email for the product title, SKU, or listing page.
• Search the OPSS product safety database: Use the model number and brand to find the most up-to-date UK recall or safety notice. If you can’t find an exact match, don’t assume you’re in the clear—model names can be similar.
• Look for recall instructions: Recalls may advise you to stop use immediately and contact the seller/manufacturer for a remedy (refund, replacement or repair).
• If in doubt, pause use: If your dryer matches key identifiers or looks materially similar to a recalled product, stop using it until you’ve confirmed details.

Practical next step: Pick one tool you use most (your hair dryer is the obvious starting point), locate its model information, and save a photo of the label to your phone—future checks become far quicker.

Smart safety habits for heat styling at home

Recalls are rare enough that they can feel abstract—until you realise how often heat tools run unattended for “just a minute”. Building a few non-negotiables into your routine makes at-home styling safer and helps your tools work better for longer.

• Never leave powered heat tools unattended: If you need to answer the door, switch off and unplug.
• Keep vents and filters clear: Many hair dryers have a removable filter at the back; lint build-up can reduce airflow and increase heat stress. Let the dryer cool, unplug, then clean according to the manual.
• Inspect cables regularly: Look for kinks, fraying, tape repairs, or a loose plug. A damaged cable is a strong reason to replace the tool.
• Avoid multi-plug overloading: High-wattage appliances (hair dryers, heaters) are best plugged directly into a wall socket designed for UK mains power.
• Use the right surface: Rest hot tools on a heat-resistant mat, not on towels or soft furnishings that can trap heat.

From a haircare perspective, these steps also support better results. A dryer with clear airflow and stable heat is more likely to deliver an even blow-dry, with less time spent blasting hair at maximum temperature.

What to do if you own a recalled product

If you identify an item you own on a recall list, the safest route is to follow the official instructions exactly. That typically means stopping use immediately and contacting the manufacturer or retailer for the stated remedy. If you’ve bought through a marketplace, keep screenshots of the listing, your order number and any seller messages.

If details are unclear, you can also look for:

• Customer service contact information on the brand’s website or within documentation.
• OPSS notice wording on whether to return, dispose, or arrange collection.
• Local recycling guidance for electrical goods (many councils and retailers support WEEE recycling for small electricals).

It’s tempting to keep a “mostly fine” tool as a backup, but with electrical appliances—especially those producing heat—most professionals would advise prioritising safety and retiring items that are damaged, unstable, or subject to a recall.

Key Takeaways

• The OPSS has issued an urgent UK recall covering six products, including a hair dryer, plus heaters and toys.
• Check your hair dryer’s rating label for brand and model details, then verify against official recall information.
• If a tool shows warning signs (burning smell, overheating, cracked casing, damaged cable), stop using it and investigate—even if it’s not recalled.
• Improve everyday safety by keeping dryer vents clear, avoiding overloaded adaptors, and never leaving heat tools unattended.
• Take action today: photograph your tool labels and save them, so recall checks and warranty queries are quick and accurate.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my hair dryer is on a UK recall list?
Locate the brand and model number on the rating label (often on the handle or near the plug), then search the OPSS product safety database or the manufacturer’s recall page using those exact details.

Should I stop using my hair dryer if I can’t find the model number?
If you can’t identify the product—especially if it’s an unbranded purchase or the label has worn off—it’s sensible to pause use until you can confirm basic safety information or replace it with a clearly labelled tool.

What are common warning signs that an electrical hair tool may be unsafe?
Persistent burning smells, sparking, unusual heat, intermittent power, a loose plug, or frayed cabling are all reasons to stop use and seek advice or replacement.

Can using an extension lead with a hair dryer be dangerous?
Many high-wattage appliances draw significant power. If an extension lead isn’t rated appropriately, it can overheat. Where possible, plug directly into a wall socket and avoid daisy-chaining adaptors.

Do recalls always mean the product will catch fire?
Not necessarily. A recall indicates a confirmed or potential safety risk under certain conditions. The safest approach is to follow the recall guidance precisely rather than judging risk by personal experience.

What should I do with a recalled or broken hair dryer?
Follow the recall instructions for returns or refunds. If disposal is required, use an approved WEEE recycling route through your local council or participating retailers rather than putting it in general waste.