Division Sales Inc. of Itasca, Ill. is recalling about 8,000 hand-held hair dryers. Since these hair dryers do not have a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) plug, they present a risk of electrocution if dropped in water while the dryer is plugged in and in either the "on" or "off" position.

The current voluntary industry standard, which has been in effect since January 1, 1991, requires hand-held hair dryers to provide full immersion protection when in either the "on" or "off" position. Before the use of immersion protection devices, there was an estimated average of 18 electrocutions involving hand-held hair dryers each year. Since the introduction of immersion protection devices for hand-held hair dryers, the estimated average has decreased to two electrocutions a year.

The hair dryer is made of white plastic and has the words "PROFESSIONAL STYLER...ASBESTOS FREE...HD-20...MADE IN CHINA" printed on it. The hair dryer has an ordinary plug rather than a GFCI plug to prevent electric shocks. The hair dryer is packaged in triangle-shaped cardboard box labeled in part, "Professional HAIR~DRYER HD-20." There is a picture of the hair dryer on the box. Independent discount and variety stores nationwide sold the hair dryers from December 1994 through February 1997 for about $11.

Consumers should stop using the recalled hair dryers immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund. For more information, consumers can call Division Sales Inc. at (800) 621-8134.