For Immediate Release
October 5, 2001
Release # 02-003
Blanket Hotline: (877) 217-6294
CPSC Contact: Scott Wolfson (301) 504-0580 Ext. 1189
CPSC, Biddeford Textile Corp. Announce Recall of Electric Blankets
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC), Biddeford Textile Corp., of Biddeford, Maine, is
voluntarily recalling about 394,000 electric blankets. The plug that
connects the detachable control switch to the blanket can become loose.
The resulting poor electrical contacts can overheat, posing a fire
hazard.
CPSC and Biddeford Textile Corp. have received 34 reports of the
electric blankets overheating, melting and scorching. No injuries or
property damage, other than to the blanket, have been reported.
The electric blankets were sold under the model names Controlled
Comfort, EH 2000, Starbright, Staywarm, Supreme 21, Warm Comfort, and
had serial numbers A001A to C210C. "Biddeford Textile Corporation,"
along with the blanket's model name and its serial number are printed
on a label near where the control switch is plugged in. The blankets
were sold in king, queen, double and twin sizes in various colors,
including off-white, hunter green, light blue, navy blue, white, rose,
plum, burgundy, French blue, sage green, teal and rawhide.
Department stores including Kohl's and Target, and direct mail
order companies, such as Fingerhut and JCPenney, sold these blankets
nationwide from August 1999 through July 2001 for between $100 to $150.
Consumers should stop using the electric blankets immediately and
contact Biddeford Textile Corp. for a free replacement plug connector
adapter. For more information, consumers should call Biddeford Textile
Corp. toll-free at (877) 217-6294 anytime, or visit their web site at
www.blanketrecall.com.
Consumers should not return the electric blankets to Biddeford Textile
Corp.