Recall: Bilt-Safe Technologies Recall of Electric Blankets

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Originally issued November 9, 2004, Revised December 29, 2008 Release # 05-042

CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Note: Firm is out of business; electric blankets and controllers should be discarded or destroyed

CPSC, Bilt-Safe Technologies Announce Recall of Electric Blankets

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announces the following recall in voluntary cooperation with the firms below. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of product: Electric Blankets

Units: 60,000, including 13,720 sold to consumers

Importer: Bilt-Safe Technologies Inc., of Erwin, Tenn.

Hazard: When the temperature controller on the blanket is reset multiple times or the blanket is folded or covered with additional blankets, the blanket can overheat. This can result in smoldering and melting, posing a burn hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Bilt-Safe has received 86 reports of the blankets overheating or charring, including three reports of minor skin burns.

Description: The recalled automatic warming blankets were sold in blue or beige colors under the Bilt-Safe and Comfort Max brand names and came in sizes to fit all mattresses. The temperature controller is removable and plugs into a module at the bottom of the blanket. The recalled units have the following model numbers, which are located on a tag sewn to the blanket: BST-03-A-F, BST-03-A-K, BST-03-A-Q, and BST-03-A-T.

Sold at: Family Dollar Stores, Peebles Inc., and Le Roux at Home stores nationwide from October 2003 through February 2004 for between $40 and $100.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the electric blankets immediately and destroy the controller and blanket. The firm is out of business, and a remedy is no longer available.