January 28, 2026 – A Conair CD22WRS curling iron reportedly exploded during use, causing sparks, an orange glow, and black smoke, leading to distress for a user and their young child. The incident highlights potential safety hazards associated with heating appliances.
Product Details
Incident Overview
On January 7, 2026, a consumer was preparing their 6-year-old daughter for a Christmas event using a Conair CD22WRS curling iron. The user stated the appliance was a few years old but had only been used a couple of times, making it “like brand new.” It was stored in a dry place and appeared undamaged. After heating the curling iron for a few minutes until a red dot on the shaft turned white and the red indicator light was on, the user began curling the top layer of their daughter’s hair.
While nearing completion, the curling iron suddenly exploded inside the handle. The incident was accompanied by a loud pop and a visible spark. The handle of the curling iron then began to glow orange. The user’s husband immediately shouted for them to unplug the device as the user quickly unwrapped their daughter’s hair from it. After unplugging the curling iron and setting it down, black smoke began to emanate from the device, causing the user to cough. The daughter ran away scared, and the family was unable to leave for their event until they could confirm their home was safe from a potential fire.
Safety Concerns
This incident with the Conair CD22WRS curling iron raises several serious safety concerns:
- Immediate Danger of Burns and Fire: The sudden explosion, sparks, and orange glow indicate a severe internal malfunction, potentially involving overheating or a short circuit. This poses an immediate risk of thermal burns to the user and anyone nearby, as well as a significant fire hazard to the surrounding environment and home. The black smoke suggests burning internal components, further increasing fire risk.
- Electrical Shock Hazard: An internal explosion or electrical malfunction can compromise the device’s insulation, potentially exposing live electrical components. This could lead to a severe electrical shock to the user holding the device.
- Respiratory Irritation: The black smoke emitted from the device likely contains hazardous fumes and particulate matter from burning plastic, wiring, or other internal components. Inhaling these fumes can cause immediate respiratory irritation, coughing, and could lead to more serious long-term respiratory issues with prolonged exposure or in sensitive individuals.
- Psychological Trauma: Experiencing an appliance explosion, especially in proximity to a child, can cause significant fear and psychological distress, as evidenced by the daughter running away scared.
- Property Damage: The risk of fire extends beyond the immediate area, potentially leading to extensive property damage or even total loss of a home if the malfunction escalates into an uncontrolled fire.
- Product Longevity and Dormancy: Despite being “like brand new” and stored correctly, the device failed catastrophically. This raises questions about the long-term reliability of internal components even with infrequent use.
What Consumers Should Do
If you own a Conair CD22WRS curling iron or any similar heating appliance, please take the following precautions:
- Immediately Cease Use: If you own a Conair CD22WRS curling iron, stop using it immediately. Do not attempt to plug it in or test it.
- Unplug and Isolate: If your curling iron exhibits any unusual behavior like sparks, smoke, excessive heat, or strange noises, immediately unplug it from the wall outlet if it is safe to do so. If it’s hot or smoking, place it on a non-flammable surface, away from combustible materials, and allow it to cool completely.
- Inspect Your Product: Check if your curling iron matches the reported model number (CD22WRS). The model number is usually found on the handle or near the cord.
- Report the Incident: If you have experienced a similar incident or believe your product is defective, report it to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at www.cpsc.gov. This helps authorities track incidents and identify potential widespread issues.
- Contact the Manufacturer: Reach out to CONAIR CORPORATION directly to report your experience and inquire about potential remedies or recalls.
- Never Leave Unattended: Always remain in the room when a curling iron or any heating appliance is plugged in and turned on.
- Store Safely: Ensure curling irons are completely cool before storing and keep them in a safe, dry place away from combustible materials and out of reach of children.
- Check for Damage: Regularly inspect appliance cords and the appliance itself for any signs of damage, fraying, cracks, or loose components.
Manufacturer’s Response
The manufacturer, CONAIR CORPORATION, has provided a response to the incident report. Details of their specific response or proposed actions are not available in the provided incident report information.
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.
Contact us today for a free consultation: 424-325-3112
Our legal team has successfully represented clients in product liability cases involving defective appliances, automotive defects, medical devices, and consumer products. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win your case.
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.