SaferProducts incident

Failure type

Fire / ignition

Incident narrative

SaferProducts.gov consumer incident report 20160423-732C5-2147419985. Severity: Injury, Seen by Medical Professional. Product: Shark Model #GS500N (Shark� Press & Refresh Fabric Steamer Garment Care System. Includes Bristle Brush Frame, Lint Brush Frame, Upholstery/Delicate Frame, Delicate Steam Bonnet, Upholstery Steam Bonnet, 3 Velcro� Clips and the Vertical Press Pad. Model #GS500N 11 by Intertec 120544). Incident: I was using Shark Press & Refresh Fabric Steamer Garment Care System for couple of months. I use distilled or spring bottled water and clean it on regular basis. On the April 18th 2016, I was steaming my clothes as usually and all of the sudden the steamer stopped and making like explosion sound released the stem in a (steam bomb) right in my right hand. I dropped the steamer, run to take the plug out of the wall, before it got on fire and run to the bathroom under cold water. I was having my hand in a cup with ice and water all day long and every time I took it out I was in excruciating pain. I had a blisters on my fingers and part of my palm, my hand was very red. The pain of the burned skin went away after 2 days and many times of zinc oxide applications/pain killers but my nerves which got injured still hurt horribly. The injury got evaluated as post-burn neuropathy. As a massage therapist I will be out of work at least for 3 weeks. I was very fortunate, that my face was far away from the machine. I could be blind by now. The company should warn buyers about the failure possibility of the machine and sell it with goggles and a glow. Shark Press & Refresh Fabric Steamer Garment Care System -machine with surprises.