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Vellux ® fahrenheit™ electric blankets

CPSC Recall #03-114 — April 23, 2003

Recall Summary

Recall Number03-114
Recall DateApril 23, 2003
Remedy TypeDispose, No Remedy Available
Units AffectedAbout 11,000
ManufacturerWestPoint Stevens Inc., of West Point, Ga.
Manufactured InUnited States

Where It Was Sold

Department stores
mail order catalogs and websites sold the blankets nationwide from July 2002 through April 2003 for between $80 and $130.

Product

Vellux ® fahrenheit™ electric blankets

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - WestPoint Stevens Inc., of West Point, Ga. is recalling about 11,000 electric blankets. When the blanket is folded, the heating element can overheat, causing the heating element and blanket to melt. This poses the risk of thermal burns to consumers.Name of product: Electric BlanketsUnits: About 11,000Manufacturer: WestPoint Stevens Inc., of West Point, Ga.Hazard: When the blanket is folded, the heating element can overheat, causing the heating element and blanket to melt. This poses the risk of thermal burns to consumers.Incidents/Injuries: WestPoint has received 10 reports of the blankets overheating, including four reports of minor skin burns.Description: The Vellux ® fahrenheit™ blankets were sold in various colors and sizes to fit all mattress sizes. The temperature controller is white with the words, "WESTPOINT STEVENS" and "fahrenheit Heated Blanket" printed on the front. The recall includes blankets manufactured from July 2002 through January 2003. The manufacture date is printed on a label sewn into the seam.Sold at: Department stores, mail order catalogs and websites sold the blankets nationwide from July 2002 through April 2003 for between $80 and $130.Manufactured in: U.S.A.Remedy: The firm is no longer in business. For information contact WestPoint Home at 866-643-4735.

Hazard

When the blanket is folded, the heating element can overheat, causing the heating element and blanket to melt. This poses the risk of thermal burns to consumers.

Incidents & Injuries

WestPoint has received 10 reports of the blankets overheating, including four reports of minor skin burns.

Remedy Instructions

The firm is no longer in business. For information contact WestPoint Home at 866-643-4735.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Dispose, No Remedy Available at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Dispose, No Remedy Available) at no cost to you.

If the product caused a fire or burn injury, document the incident with photos and preserve the product if it is safe to do so. Report the incident to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov and to your local fire department. Contact the manufacturer to inform them of the incident — they are required to track and report injuries to CPSC. You may also want to consult a personal injury attorney, as fire and burn injuries caused by defective products can be grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer.

In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.

If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.

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