Recall: Electric Blankets Recalled by Perfect Fit Industries

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.