Sunbeam Complaint - Hairdryer went firery red and smoked while using - sunbeam hand held hair dryer 1600 catalog #303

Posted by azRider on 2011-05-22:

how did you get my hair dryer? seriously, why do people address it like this was the company they bought it from? you need to call the 800 number for sunbeam and let them know. (800) 458-8407, they can take care of this and perhaps pull bad units off the shelfs if its big enough issue. but they won't know till you call them.

Posted by leet60 on 2011-05-22:

I would recommend you contact Sunbeam and make them aware this occurred - you can submit your complaint at https://secure.sunbeam.com/ContactUs.aspx

Is the outlet you plugged the hairdryer into grounded and does it have a safety switch? I ask because if the outlet is fine, it sounds as if the automatic shutoff for the hairdryer was defective. Almost all have an automatic shutoff feature that will turn the device off once it becomes too hot.

I am happy you were not harmed.

Posted by Nohandle on 2011-05-22:

How long was the hairdryer on before it turned fiery red and and started to smell? The reason I'm asking is because I've tossed two dryers into the trash in the past. The first one I burned up trying to completely dry a wet long haired cat. It took forever and I eventually smelled that burned odor and unplugged it immediately or perhaps it just quit working.

The other time I had purchased a hairdryer and honestly every few minutes it would shut off automatically. So much for safety but when I finally got my hair dried that one went in the trash as well.

Do contact Sunbeam if your appliance was used properly. Of course it should be reported. A link has been provided by leet60. Let us know if you get a response.

Posted by madconsumer on 2011-05-22:

this can also happen if the hair dryer has not been cleaned. the intake vents often get clogged with lint, hair, and sprays.

Posted by trmn8r on 2011-05-22:

Hair dryers have and always have been one of the most dangerous appliances. They have become safer over the years, but the fact they draw so much current and create a lot of heat and are waved around (stressing the cord) makes them hard to be bulletproof. Hair and lint buildup is an issue also.

It's hard to know what caused this, but it isn't surprising to me. I've had a few dryers in my time spit sparks and smoke. Just to be safe, you may want to report the problem.

On this subject, I wonder what the incidence of seriuous injury is with hair dryers. I almost electrocuted myself back the 40's with a metal-cased one.

Posted by Skye on 2011-05-22:

How old was the hair dryer? I've had hair dryers that eventually failed. They would start to overheat, and then that was the end of it. I do have a great Revlon hair dryer, that after 10 years, recently stopped working. 10 years is a long time considering many appliances have such short life spans.

As mentioned, contact Sunbeam directly. Here is all the contact information at this link:

http://www.computerhope.com/comp/sunbeam.htm