Fire Danger: 1000s Of Electric Blankets Sold In Illinois Recalled

As of this writing there have been no injuries reported due to the now recalled electric blankets and throws, but that doesn't mean this recall is something you should ignore unless heated blankets are just not your thing and you don't have any or plan to grab one in the near future.

However, if you don't have one you're definitely in the minority.

I was surprised to learn this morning as I searched for more information on this recall that, according to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), 75 million American households, which works out to 61 percent of all U.S. households, have at least one electric blanket or heated throw blanket.

We have one (luckily not part of the recall) on our bed, and I'm pretty fond of it.

There's An Ongoing Argument About Whether Or Not Electric Blankets Are Safe, But Unless You've Got Defective Wiring They Seem To Be Safe If Used Under The Right Conditions

Columbia University did a study on electric blankets and found that there are basically two types. One fits directly on your mattress, while the other can be used as a traditional blanket. The key to safety is to not use them both at the same time:

When used at the same time, electric under- and over- blankets can pose a significant fire hazard. So, it’s recommended to use them one at a time. Most manufacturers also advise against using a heating blanket on waterbeds, sofas, bunk beds, or mechanical beds due to the risk involved with combining electrical wiring with flammable fabrics.

It should be noted that Columbia University goes on to say that electric blankets are something that pregnant women should avoid:

One health concern you might have heard is that the electromagnetic fields present in electric heating blankets may increase cancer risk. However, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), evidence supporting these links are “highly controversial” because electric blankets present very low exposure levels so any risk would be extremely small. Nevertheless, WHO recommends that pregnant women avoid any potential risk whatsoever and discontinue heating blanket use while pregnant.

Let's Get To The Information You Need, Like What To Look For And What To Do If You Have One Of The Recalled Electric Blankets Or Throws

Approximately 30,000 Berkshire Blanket Heated Throws and Blankets (branded as L.L. Bean) in several different colors and different patterns were recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission after being sold at several brick-and-mortar stores and online. The recall pertains to twin, full/queen, and king-sized blankets.

The products were determined to pose a significant safety risk, but as I mentioned earlier, there have been no reports of injuries to date.

The recalled items were sold nationwide and online from August 2022 to October 2023 for between $50 and $180 at L.L. Bean, AAFES stores, and various online retailers, including Berkshire Blanket, Amazon, Target, Macy’s and QVC.

Examples:

CPSC.gov:

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled electric throws and blankets and contact Berkshire Blanket & Home Co. for a full refund. Consumers must complete an online recall registration form, submit a photo of the destroyed blanket showing the cut cord, and submit a photo of the wash label after writing “Refund” and an assigned 5-digit refund code on the wash label to receive a full refund.