October
5, 2001
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. Biddeford Textile Corp. has 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 http://www.blanketrecall.com/. Consumers
should not return the electric blankets to Biddeford Textile Corp.