HSN Recalling 5.4 Million Handheld Clothing Steamers After Customers Got 'Serious' Burns

HSN, formerly known as Home Shopping Network, is voluntarily recalling millions of handheld clothing steamers after receiving over a hundred reports of customers getting burn injuries from using the products.

According to the notice posted Wednesday on the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, the clothing steamers can "expel, spray or leak" hot water while being used, so they can cause burns. In total, the company has received 227 reports of the issue, 106 of which were from people who claimed to have suffered burn injuries. Among those who got injured, eight got second-degree burns while six got third-degree burns.

A second-degree burn may cause the skin to be painful, swollen, red and blistered, Stanford Medicine said. It affects the epidermis (outer layer of the skin) and part of the dermis. On the other hand, third-degree burns "destroy" the epidermis and dermis, and may even damage bones, tendons and muscles underneath.

"The burn site appears white or charred," Stanford Medicine said. "There is no sensation in the area since the nerve endings are destroyed."

The recall affects all models and colors of Joy/JM-branded "My Little Steamer" and "My Little Steamer Go Mini." These handheld clothing steamers were available either individually or in sets and were sold at physical stores and online shops from January 2002 until December 2020. They were sold by retailers such as Target, Lowe's and Walmart.

Those who have the affected products are being advised to stop using them immediately and contact the company to find out how to get refunds, which would depend on when the recalled items were bought. For instance, those who bought their clothing steamers between January 2018 and December 2020 will get full refunds but those who bought them from January 2015 to December 2017 will only get partial refunds. Those who bought their steamers earlier than that would get vouchers from the company.

The recall is a part of a settlement of a class-action lawsuit against Insidiary Designs, which is a subsidiary of HSN. Those who would like to file a claim may do so online, where they will have to submit proofs of ownership and destruction.