Southern Telecom is expanding its recall of Lomi waxing kits after two additional overheating incidents surfaced, bringing the total number of affected units across both recall actions to roughly 34,200. The expanded notice, announced June 25, 2026, covers about 14,700 units of models LOMB2003PK and LOMB2004PK and warns of a power cord defect that can short-circuit, catch fire, or deliver an electrical shock. The action builds on an earlier recall of about 19,500 units tied to the same hazard, which had already produced two burn injuries and one property-damage fire.
Why the expanded Lomi recall reaches beyond brick-and-mortar stores
The original recall covered units sold at Ross and DD’s Discounts between April and October 2023. That action focused on a single model, LOMB2003PK, and the retail footprint was relatively narrow. The expansion now adds a second model, LOMB2004PK, and an additional 14,700 units to the recall scope. The fact that defective kits continued turning up well after the initial notice suggests that secondary sales channels, including online resale platforms, kept pushing these products into homes even after the first warning went out.
That pattern matters because the CPSC’s original retailer data listed only two discount chains. Consumers who bought the kits through third-party sellers or received them as gifts may never have seen the first recall notice. Two new overheating and short-circuit reports confirm that the hazard did not end with the 2024 action, and the agency now explicitly flags the risk of serious injury or death from fire and burn hazards.
Incident history and the cord defect behind both recalls
The core problem is straightforward: the power cord can overheat and short-circuit during normal use. That defect creates three distinct dangers, including fire, burns, and electrical shock. The original 2024 recall of about 19,500 units documented two overheating and short-circuit reports, two burn injuries, and one incident that caused property damage. The expansion adds two more overheating reports to that record.
Across both actions, the agency has now logged at least four separate overheating events, two confirmed burn injuries, and one property-damage fire. No deaths have been reported, but the expanded notice explicitly references the risk of death, a classification the CPSC reserves for products whose failure mode can plausibly kill. Southern Telecom is the company behind the Lomi brand, and consumers are directed to contact the firm for a full refund and to stop using the devices immediately.
Open questions about remaining Lomi units in circulation
Several gaps remain in the public record. The CPSC notices do not specify how many of the 14,700 newly recalled units were sold through online channels versus physical stores, or how many have actually been returned. Without that data, it is difficult to estimate how many defective waxing kits are still in bathrooms, closets, or resale inventories.
There is also no breakdown of incidents by model, which could help determine whether LOMB2004PK poses a different or higher level of risk than the original LOMB2003PK units. The agency’s summary focuses on the shared cord defect rather than model-specific design differences, implying that both versions are considered comparably hazardous.
Another unknown is how quickly consumers are responding to the expanded recall. Refund-based remedies generally have higher participation than repairs, but they still depend on awareness. Shoppers who purchased Lomi kits at discount chains may not keep receipts or packaging, and people who picked up the product secondhand might not even know the brand name. That makes it more likely that some of the 34,200 affected units will remain in use despite the warnings.
What consumers should do now
Owners of Lomi roll-on waxing kits should unplug the devices, avoid testing them “one last time,” and check the model number on the product label or packaging. Both LOMB2003PK and LOMB2004PK fall within the recall if purchased during the listed time frames. Even if the kit has worked without issues so far, the overheating reports show that failure can occur during ordinary use, without obvious warning signs.
Consumers are instructed to contact Southern Telecom for a refund rather than seeking a repair or replacement cord. Using aftermarket power accessories or attempting DIY fixes could bypass safety features and increase the risk of fire or shock. People who no longer have the unit but experienced overheating or damage may still want to document the incident in case of future insurance or warranty questions.
How this recall fits into CPSC oversight
The Lomi action illustrates how the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission relies on both company reports and consumer complaints to identify dangerous products. When new incidents emerge after an initial recall, the agency can push for expanded remedies or broader model coverage, as it did here by adding a second model and explicitly highlighting the potential for death.
At the same time, the case underscores the limits of recall announcements that primarily reach brick-and-mortar shoppers. Products that migrate to resale platforms or informal markets can easily outlive the initial warning cycle. The CPSC’s oversight framework, including audits and evaluations from the agency’s Office of Inspector General, has repeatedly emphasized the need for better tracking of recall effectiveness and consumer outreach.
For consumers, the practical takeaway is simple: treat personal-care devices with heating elements and cords as potential fire sources, register products when possible, and periodically search for recalls involving items already in the home. In the Lomi case, unplugging and returning a small waxing kit could prevent a bathroom fire, a serious burn, or worse.
