(Filed Under wholesale Loungewear News). The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Pennsylvania-headquartered Blair, a men's and women's apparel company, have re-announced the voluntary recall by Blair of 162,000 women's full length chenille robes. The second recall was instituted after reports of six deaths caused when the robes caught fire.

Since the recall's original announcement in April 2009, which cited certain styles as failing to meet federal flammability requirements, Blair has received reports of six deaths. Five of the six victims were female, and all five were cooking at the time of the incidents. Three of the victims were in their 80s.

According to a report from the United States Fire Administration regarding cooking fires, "ignition of clothing from a range comprises eight percent of total home range fire deaths. Certain types of clothing, including garments with loose, flowing or dangling sleeves, present an elevated risk of contact with and ignition by cooking heat sources."

The robes were manufactured by Pakistani company A-One Textile & Towel Industries, and Blair has severed its relationship entirely with the manufacturer. According to A-One, they are a leading manufacturer and exporter of terry towels, terry bathrobes, chenille bathrobes, slippers, fancy towels, kitchen towels, bath mats and terry fabric to the American, European, Middle Eastern, Asian and Australian markets. After several attempts, A-One could not be reached for comment regarding other U.S. companies that utilize their services who may also be at risk.

The recall includes item numbers 3093111, 3093112, 3093113, 3093114, 3093115 and 3093116, which is identified on a label in the robe's neckline. Since the recall, Blair has taken several steps to notify and protect consumers of the hazardous robes. The company's efforts included immediately halting sales of the robes, even the lots that tested in compliance with the flammability standard; mailing a letter on April 21st to the address of every catalog and internet customer who ever purchased one of the robes; called approximately 63,000 customers with robes still in possession; and offered a full refund of the purchase price or a $50 gift card for Blair merchandise.

Blair's catalogs, website and stores in Warren, PA, Grove City, PA and Wilmington, DE sold the robe from January 2003 through March 2009 in the retail price range of $20 to $40.

For further information on A-One, visit www.A-OneTextile.com.

For further information on Blair, e-mail the company at BlairProductRecall@Blair.com.

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Published 06-22-2009 by Bruna Fernandes