September 2, 2026 — A consumer in Butte, Montana, experienced a distressing incident when a newly purchased Reebok Deep Rolling Shiatsu Massager reportedly entangled their hair, pulling it to the scalp. The user reported that the device lacked an accessible off button, complicating efforts to stop the mechanism, leading to significant hair loss.
Product Details
Product: Reebok Deep rolling shiatsu massager
Incident Overview
On August 8, 2026, a consumer purchased a Reebok Deep Rolling Shiatsu Massager from a Walmart store in Butte, MT. Upon bringing the product home, the user attempted to use it on their shoulder. Immediately after activating the device, the massager’s spinning mechanism reportedly caught the user’s hair, pulling it tightly and continuously towards the scalp. The consumer quickly realized the device did not have an off button, preventing immediate shutdown. The user’s boyfriend attempted to intervene by unscrewing the base of the massager; however, the device remained powered on and continued to pull the hair. Ultimately, the hair had to be cut free from the massager, resulting in an “odd patch” of hair removal on the side of the user’s head.
Safety Concerns
This incident highlights several significant safety concerns associated with the Reebok Deep Rolling Shiatsu Massager:
- Hair Entanglement/Scalping Risk: The primary and most immediate danger is the risk of hair entanglement, which can lead to severe hair pulling, bald patches, abrasions, or even partial scalping. The report indicates the device pulled hair all the way to the scalp, demonstrating a critical design flaw for users with long hair.
- Lack of Emergency Stop Mechanism: The absence of an easily accessible “off” button is a critical safety defect. In an emergency, users must be able to immediately halt the device’s operation to prevent or minimize injury. The need to unscrew the device base indicates a dangerous design that does not prioritize user safety in unexpected entanglement situations.
- Laceration/Pinch Point Hazards: While hair entanglement was the specific injury in this case, a spinning mechanism without adequate guarding or an emergency stop button could also pose risks for fingers, clothing, or jewelry becoming caught, potentially leading to lacerations, contusions, or other physical injuries.
- Who Might Be Affected: Consumers with long hair, children (who may not understand the risks or have the dexterity to avoid entanglement), or individuals wearing loose clothing or jewelry are particularly vulnerable.
- Property Damage Potential: While not explicitly mentioned here beyond the damage to the user’s hair, such incidents can also lead to the destruction of clothing or other personal items if caught in the mechanism.
What Consumers Should Do
If you own a Reebok Deep Rolling Shiatsu Massager, especially the model involved in this incident, please take the following precautions:
- Stop Use Immediately: Discontinue all use of the product if you have experienced or are concerned about similar risks.
- Inspect Your Product: While a specific model number is not available, consumers who own a “Reebok Deep Rolling Shiatsu Massager” manufactured by Sakar should exercise extreme caution.
- Prevention Measures: If you choose to use similar massagers, always tie back long hair securely, remove loose clothing, scarves, and jewelry before operation. However, given the reported lack of an off button, the safest course of action for this particular product is to cease use.
- Report Incidents: It is crucial to report any incidents, injuries, or concerns about this product to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at www.SaferProducts.gov. Detailed reports help the CPSC identify patterns and initiate necessary actions, such as recalls.
Manufacturer’s Response
No manufacturer response has been provided in the incident report.
Legal Help Available
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product or suffered property damage due to a product malfunction, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced product liability attorneys at Farzan Law understand the complexities of defective product cases and can help you navigate the legal process. Farzan Law is a California based Personal Injury law firm focusing on protecting the rights of those wrongfully injured.
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Note: This information is based on incident reports provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you find information that is incorrect, please contact us immediately so we can correct the post to reflect accurate information.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. This article is based on publicly available incident reports. The incidents mentioned have not necessarily been independently verified or adjudicated.