Chenille Robe Recall: Six Deaths Linked to Flammable Robes

New warnings have been issued about a Chenille robe recall originally issued in April, following reports of six people burning to death due when the flammable robes caught fire.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a “prompt urgent re-announcement” on June 11, 2009 that 162,000 Blair LLC’s Women’s Chenille Robes have been recalled and that consumers should immediately stop wearing the robes.

The re-announcement comes after Blair received new reports of people from severe burns in fires caused by the robes. Five of the women were women were cooking when their robes caught fire, and three of fatalities involved victims in their 80s.

The full length chenille robes were recalled in April after Blair learned of at least three incidents where their robes caught fire, leading to one report of second-degree burn. The CPSC says that the Chenille robe deaths were reported as a result of the initial recall and Blair sending letters about the robe recall to buyers.

The recalled robes are Women’s Chenille Robes, also known as Blair Full-Length Chenille Robes, with item numbers 3093111, 3093112, 3093113, 3093114, 3093115, and 3093116. The CPSC describes the robe as “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.” A sewn in label reads “100% Cotton, RN 81700, Made in Pakistan.”

The robes were purchased from Blair catalogs and its website, as well as at Blair stores in Warren, Pa., Grove City, Pa., and Wilmington, DE, from January 2003 through March 2009.

The company says that it did not receive any reports of the robes catching fire until 2008. It notified customers of the chenille robe recall by letter on April 21, which was sent to individuals who purchased the robes through their catalog, websit or retail store. In the letter, the company says that the robe “fails to comply with Federal flammability standards.”

The CPSC and Blair recommended that consumers stop wearing the robes immediately, and contact Blair LLC for information on how to return the robe and receive a refund or $50 gift card. However, product liability lawyers recommend that if any burns or damage were caused by Chenille robes catching fire, the remaining product should be preserved in a manner designed to avoid future use until appropriate testing can be completed.