Fleece garments, including sweatshirts, tops, pants, shorts, dresses, robes, and children's sleep...
CPSC Recall #95-087 — February 27, 1995
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 95-087 |
| Recall Date | February 27, 1995 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | Approximately 160,000 |
Product
Fleece garments, including sweatshirts, tops, pants, shorts, dresses, robes, and children's sleepwear
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - CPSC and Coville Incorporated are announcing the recall of dangerously flammable garments made from a fleece-type fabric. An estimated 160,000 garments ranging from sweatshirts to skirts are involved in the recall.The fabric, which fails to meet federal mandatory standards of fabric flammability, presents a serious risk of burn injuries and violates the 1953 Federal Flammable Fabrics Act. Fabrics that do not comply with the standard typically burn faster than newspaper.Neither CPSC nor Coville has received any reports of injuries involving garments made from the fabric. However, there have been four reported incidents where garments made from the fabric "flashed" or surface-burned very quickly. The fabric is a polyester-cotton blend material with a raised fiber surface. Its fleecy texture closely mimics that of an inside-out sweatshirt.The fabric was used to manufacture clothes under 45 different brand names (see attached list). CPSC and Coville Inc. are working with manufacturers and retailers to recall garments made from this fabric and sold across the country after May 1, 1994.Most of the garments - an estimated 70 percent - are sweatshirts, hooded pullovers, casual shirts and other types of tops. Pants, shorts, vests, dresses, robes and skirts that contain the fabric were also sold. About 12 percent of the items are children's wear, excluding children's sleepwear."Fleece garments are extremely popular today, and most of them are in full compliance with the law," said Ann Brown, CPSC chairman. "But those that aren't must be taken off the market.""Coville's cooperative effort with CPSC is another fine example of industry working voluntarily with government." Thousands of retailers who sold garments made from the fabric have posted signs in their stores urging customers to return the garments for a full refund. Macy's, Express Inc. (a division of The Limited), Capezio, Kohl's, Marianne, Jean Nicole and Stuart's are among the retailers cooperating in the recall. Other retailers include specialized boutiques, surf shops and some hotel gift shops.CPSC urges consumers who suspect they may have purchased a garment made from the fleece fabric to immediately stop wearing it and contact or visit their retailer to see if the garment is subject to the recall. Retailers should know whether the garments are a part of the recall and should then provide a refund.In addition, consumers who have questions about the recall can call CPSC's toll-free hotline at (800) 638-2772. The hearing and speech impaired can call (800) 638-8270.Any fleece or partly fleece garment sold under the following brand names may be involved in this recall:26 Red - label no. RN 87162A Month of SundaysAustinsBack Country ClothingBlack ParrotBLOOZ - RN 12345California Dynasty - RN 64211CannondaleCapezio - RN 88647Carushka Body WearChristina - RN 59628Dalandz of ColoradoDanielle Allendtw - Durango ColoradoETNIKO - RN 79686Express Tricot - RN 54003Firethorn - RN 88645Fresh ProduceGold's Gym - RN 56814Gordon & Smith (G&S)IN Charge RN 59628Joe's - RN 71693Klondike Dry Goods - RN 65063Limit LineLimited - RN 54003Limelight by Jan-RNative "O" ApparelNorth Shore TradingOarsman 913OjaiOrvis - RN 90860PA Company BostonPes Menz PesSea Isle Sportswear - RN 60300Spyder - RN 64902Straight Down Clothing CompanyStryke - RN 64902STE (Surf the Earth)Surf Style - RN 87965Susan Barry SeattleSuzy Phillips - RN 59628Swept Away Santa Barbara, CAT. HayesThe North Face - RN 61661Turnberry
Hazard
The fabric, which fails to meet federal mandatory standards of fabric flammability, presents a serious risk of burn injuries and violates the 1953 Federal Flammable Fabrics Act. Fabrics that do not comply with the standard typically burn faster than newspaper.
Incidents & Injuries
Neither CPSC nor Coville has received any reports of injuries involving garments made from the fabric. However, there have been four reported incidents where garments made from the fabric "flashed" or surface-burned very quickly.
Remedy Instructions
CPSC urges consumers who suspect they may have purchased a garment made from the fleece fabric to immediately stop wearing it and contact or visit their retailer to see if the garment is subject to the recall. Retailers should know whether the garments are a part of the recall and should then provide a refund.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Refund at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.
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 (Refund) 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.