Electric Blankets Recalled by Perfect Fit Industries
NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 2, 2003
Release # 03-152
Company Phone Number: (877) 882-9478
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
CPSC, Perfect Fit Industries Announce Recall of Electric Blankets
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announces
the following recall in voluntary cooperation with the firm below. Consumers
should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of product: SOIREE® and Soft n' Warm® Electric Blankets
Units: About 18,000
Manufacturer: Perfect Fit Industries, of Charlotte, N.C.
Hazard: These blankets can overheat, posing a risk of burn injuries to
consumers, especially when the blanket is folded or bunched.
Incidents/Injuries: Perfect Fit is aware of 44 reports of these blankets
overheating, resulting in four reports of minor burn injuries. Damage to the
blankets and bedding materials also have been reported.
Description: The recalled electric blankets are the SOIREE® (only those
sold at Belk stores) and Soft n' Warm® (only sold at K-mart), both of which were
sold in king, queen, full and twin sizes. At Belk, the electric blankets were
sold only in ivory color and at K-mart they were sold in ivory, light blue and
hunter green colors. The model name appears on the packaging, but not on the
blanket. Both models have a UL warning label and a permanent label that reads
"Perfect Fit" and "Shell Made in China. Wired and Closed in U.S.A." The Soft n'
Warm® model has a date code ranging from 02228 through 02305 printed on a warning
label on the foot of the blanket.
Sold at: K-mart and Belk stores nationwide sold the electric blankets from
September 2002 through February 2003 for between $40 (twin size) and $200 (king
size).
Remedy: Firm is providing a free replacement blanket, but consumers should
unplug the recalled units immediately.
Consumer Contact: Call the company at (877) 882-9478 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
ET Monday through Friday.