HUNDREDS of people have bought a dangerous steam iron that the manufacturer claims can also be used to give facials, the Consumer Council said yesterday.
The iron, which has no brand name, is being recalled because it can easily catch fire and melt, or give people serious electric shocks.
But the firm that sells it is not offering a refund, only a replacement when a new batch arrives.
Consumer Council research officer Brian Cheng Yeuk-nin said the iron's faulty wiring meant it could short-circuit, leading to massive surges of current.
'In the laboratory it blew a 13 amp plug. There was a series of sparks inside the machine, producing a lot of heat. The heat would probably melt the plastic and you could have a fire.' The council said the iron, which came in boxes marked only 'steam iron, as seen on TV', was aggressively sold from special counters in chain stores.
The iron's manufacturers claimed the iron did a better job than normal irons, could dry-clean a suit better than a dry-cleaning store, and could also be used as a beauty accessory to give yourself a facial.