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Six Reported Deaths Prompt Urgent Re-announcement of Blair Recall of Women’s Chenille Robes

Blair is re-announcing the voluntary recall of 162,000 women’s full length chenille robes, originally announced in April 2009.  Blair has received reports of six deaths due to the robes catching on fire. Five of the six victims were female, and were cooking at the time of the incidents. Three of the victims were in their 80s.

Blair had sent letters informing customers about the recall after the original reports of three robes catching on fire.  The six deaths were reported after the original mailing went out.

The Women’s Chenille Robes have the following item numbers: 3093111, 3093112, 3093113, 3093114, 3093115, and 3093116. The item number is identified on a label in the garment’s neckline. The robe is a one-piece garment made of plush sculpted chenille, a shaped stand collar, and horizontal chenille front and back yolks and cuffs. The robe has a full-button front with seven matching button closures, long sleeves with self cuffs, a straight bottom with self hem, and two sideseam pockets. The robe’s sewn in label states: “100% Cotton, RN 81700, Made in Pakistan”.

The robes were sold in Blair catalogs and on their web site, as well as Blair stores in Warren, PA, Grove City, PA, and Wilmington, DE, from January 2003 through March 2009 and cost between $20 and $40.

If you or soemone you know owns a Blair robe as described, they should stop wearing it immediately and contact Blair for information on returning the robe to receive either a refund or a $50 gift card for Blair merchandise. Contact Blair toll-free at (877) 392-7095 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday, visit www.blair.com/recall.

Posted under Products, Recalls, Safety

Winterbee Inc. of Los Angeles, CA has recalled roughly 80,000 of their Speedy Children’s Hooded Zipper Jackets and Kids Hooded Pullover Jackets.

The jackets are designed with a drawstring through the hood, which can pose a strangulation hazard to children. In 1996, CPSC issued drawstring guidelines (pdf) to help prevent children from injury due to drawstrings in garments like jackets or sweatshirts.

The jackets were sold in various colors (black, white, charcoal gray, heather gray, burgundy, green, royal blue, navy blue, baby blue, red, pink, brown and in sizes S-XXL. “Speedy” can be found on a label located on the inside collar label.  The jackets were sold at  sportswear and clothing retail stores in the Los Angeles area from December 2004 through December 2008 for about $10.

If your child owns one of these jackets you should immediately remove the drawstrings from the sweatshirts to eliminate the hazard, or return the garment to either the place of purchase or to Speedy for a full refund.

For additional information, contact Speedy toll-free at (888) 901-8067 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.

Posted under Products, Recalls, Safety