Fire danger -- six deaths reported from robes that catch fire
Filed under: Recalls, Consumer Complaints
In the two months since a line of robes were recalled over flammability concerns, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has learned that six people have been burned to death wearing them.The CPSC said five of the six victims were women -- three in their 80s -- and all were cooking when their robes caught fire.
The recalled full-length chenille robes are made by Blair LLC, of Warren, Pa. About 162,000 were sold. The robes were sold in Blair catalogs and from the company's Web site, as well as at Blair stores in Warren, Pa.; Grove City, Pa.; and Wilmington, Del., between January 2003 and March 2009. The robes sold for about $20 to $40.
Blair had initially recalled the robes in April after getting reports of three catching fire, including one incident in which the victim suffered second-degree burns, the CPSC said. Officials said the company had sent letters to all known owners of the robes alerting them to the danger.
The recalled robes have the following item numbers: 3093111, 3093112, 3093113, 3093114, 3093115, and 3093116. Consumers can locate the item number on a label in the garment's neckline.
Here is a description of the robe from the CPSC: It is a one-piece garment made of plush, sculpted chenille, a shaped stand collar, and horizontal chenille front and back yolks and cuffs. The robe has a full-button front with seven matching button closures, long sleeves with self cuffs, a straight bottom with self hem, and two sideseam pockets. The robe's sewn in label states: "100% Cotton, RN 81700, Made in Pakistan".
Blair has extensive information about the recall on its site.
Consumers are urged to stop wearing the robes and contact Blair to get either a refund or a $50 Blair gift card. Blair can be reached at 877-392-7095 or at blairproductrecall@blair.com. Blair's president and CEO issued a statement in support of the company, emphasizing its commitment to getting the robes back.
"Blair has a 99-year history as a retailer of safe, quality products. We care deeply about our customers,
and are distressed by this situation," Shelley Nandkeolyar said in a letter to customers. "We therefore are 100% focused on getting as many of the robes back as we can, as quickly as we can. We strongly encourage anyone still in possession of a recalled robe to call our consumer hotline at (877) 392-7095 and return it immediately. In addition to our outreach to get these robes out of the hands of consumers, we are redoubling our efforts to ensure the products we sell are safe."
Blair said it has taken or will be taking the following steps:
- stopping all sales of chenille robes, even those that passed flammability test,
- severing its relationship with the manufacturer,
- sending letters to every known purchaser of the robe who didn't respond to an initial mailing,
- calling 63,000 customers believed to still have the robes.
The CPSC said the deaths they learned about after the recall highlights the importance of informing the agency about incidents with products.
"CPSC urges all consumers to report any incidents or injuries involving consumer products, even after a recall has been announced," said acting CPSC Chairman Thomas Moore in a press release. "Contact the CPSC so that we may help prevent tragic deaths or injuries like those that might be related to the Blair robes."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
6-12-2009 @ 9:43AM
w said...
Can America do ANYTHING right?
Reply
6-12-2009 @ 5:45PM
k said...
its made in china daaaaaaaaaaaaaa
6-12-2009 @ 5:57PM
Erika said...
Yes, American manufactureres DO things right...unfortunately, the robes were made in Pakistan, NOT the U.S. Importing so much merchandise from other countries where they don't care what happens to Americans who buy poisoned painted toys (from countries like China) or flammable robes (from countries like Pakistan) is what's wrong! We need to go back to buying AMERICAN goods whenever we can!
6-12-2009 @ 6:01PM
Dan said...
Would you rather China do it for us? How about this....US does it screws up and fixes it! China does it....screws up and a guy hangs himself and you continue to complain. Seems to me they are doing EVERY thing in the power they have to fix it.
6-12-2009 @ 6:40PM
M said...
Why would anyone cook in a robe??? That is asking for trouble!!!
6-12-2009 @ 7:19PM
Cher said...
A label in the robes reads "100% Cotton, RN 81700, Made in Pakistan," the commission's recall statement said. The robes also have labels with item numbers 3093111, 3093112, 3093113, 3093114, 3093115 or 3093116.
This article left out that fact!
6-12-2009 @ 7:38PM
Aiesa said...
If U don't like the way America does things then get lost buddy....
Have a nice day!!
6-12-2009 @ 7:39PM
Brad said...
Cher, what the heck are you talking about? The article does give you all the information that you said they didn't pertaining to the labels on these robes.
6-12-2009 @ 9:12PM
Ron said...
Despite what one mental midget posted. The robe is NOT made in China as much as I hate Chinese made crap. This robe was made in Pakistan. Maybe terrorists are making plans. Instead of killing thousands they will kill us one at a time. Of course if you wear it while cooking and it has long sleeves then who is the idiot? Either roll the sleeves up or take the robe off so the sleeves don't get near the fire. DUH!!!
6-12-2009 @ 11:08AM
brianna said...
well i think that these things should not be sold if
they have killed people that is just ignorant..(:
Reply
6-12-2009 @ 12:04PM
Mary-Elizabeth said...
FYI: Sold BEFORE they caught fire. When company found out about problem, they initiated recall and stopped selling. Think you need to work on your comprehension skills, little girl. Blair did a great job in handling situation. Consumers need to be more aware of recalls of products they own and take them seriously. Kudos to Blair.
6-12-2009 @ 5:30PM
bob said...
so are you. this is a recall not a sale.
6-12-2009 @ 6:28PM
Shams Naqvi said...
Americans are generally stupid and want to lay the blame on someone else. Now Blair claims it is the manufacturer's fault, but the fact is that the manufacturer simply stitched the robes from 100% cotton chinelle to the exact dimensions and designs created by Blair. So how is the manufacturer to be blamed, for what?
I think this whole thing is Blair's "save our ass and get out" public strategy. The women should have known not to cook on open flame with long sleeve robes that dangle over fire.
Burnt women were over 80, perhaps drunk or intoxicated due to old-age medicines. They perhaps could not extricate out of the robes due to their own fragility.
Otherwise, how is one 100% cotton robe different from another 100% cotton robe in terms of flammability.
Long live stupidity.
6-12-2009 @ 7:20PM
Mel said...
Brianna did you read the story before you posted? Seems to me the company is doing everything in their power.... Looks as if the company took immediate measures.
6-12-2009 @ 11:54AM
watdafuk said...
Thought for sure it was going to be about those stupid "snuggie" things.
Reply
6-12-2009 @ 3:28PM
dave said...
I agree watdafuk
6-12-2009 @ 11:31AM
Annee said...
These robes did not spontaneously ignite. They had to make contact with a flame. Cooking in such a garment is asking for trouble. Take responsibility.
Reply
6-12-2009 @ 4:28PM
Greg said...
I was thinking the same thing. If what they have pictured is the actual robe then there is no wonder it caught fire with thos long floppy sleeves. Common sense should step in and tell you not to cook with such a garment on.
6-12-2009 @ 7:26PM
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Reply
6-12-2009 @ 7:05PM
Billie said...
This is a forum for commenting on news articals, NOT YOUR PERSONAL BILLBOARD. Stick to the subjest at hand or shut up