The temperatures are dropping and many states are making moves toward returning to lockdown, which means a lot of time spent at home. But one of your favorite things to use as you cozy up on the couch could actually be creating more danger than comfort. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently announced that a product recall has been issued on a popular heated blanket sold on Amazon after the revelation that they can dangerously overheat, posing fire and burn hazards to users. Read on to see if your blanket is affected, and if you want to protect yourself and your family, know that If You Bought This at Walmart, Throw It Away Now.
The product in question is the InvoSpa Electric Throw Heated Blanket, 7,050 of which had been sold between November 2019 and July 2020. The blanket retailed exclusively through Amazon and cost $70. At the time the recall was issued on Nov. 12, InvoSpa had received 26 reports of the blankets overheating, including one incident where a consumer sustained a minor burn injury and another report of an “unspecified injury.”
The CPSC advises that customers should stop using the product immediately. If you're concerned your heated blanket is affected, check the tags on the item in question, which is made from a silky flannel and sherpa shu velveteen fabric, coming in both white and gray. The tags should be printed with the model number ML-G03 and the brand name InvoSpa.
If you do have a recalled blanket, InvoSpa says that you should fill out this form to obtain a full refund. You can also contact the company's customer service team via email at support@invospa.com or phone at 855-630-5993 (which is open 24 hours a day, Monday through Friday).
The heated blanket is one of many products that have recently been recalled. Read on for more products that could be unsafe in your home, and for a hazard that could be in your kitchen, know that If You Have This Milk in Your Fridge, You Should Get Rid of It Now.
1 | Sonoma Goods for Life candles
AtlasStudio / iStockKohl's recently recalled over 500,000 of its Sonoma Goods For Life three-wick candles due to "fire and burn hazards," according to a Nov. 10 report from the CPSC. Kohl's received 29 reports involving high flames and the breaking of the glass surrounding these particular candles, several of which resulted in burn injuries and property damage, the CPSC reports. "Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled candles and return them to the nearest Kohl's store," the CPSC warns. The recalled candles, which were sold at Kohl's stores nationwide and on the company's website from Dec. 2019 through Oct. 2020, come in 30 different models and scents under the Sonoma Goods For Life brand, all of which are included in the CPSC statement. If you own one of the recalled candles, you can return it at any Kohl's retail store. And for a similar situation you should be aware of, know that This "Protective" Product Is Being Recalled Due to Fire Risk.
2 | Oakmont LP fire tables
iStockAnyone who has an Oakmont LP fire pit table in their yard should reconsider lighting it up. The popular fire pit tables, sold exclusively at Big Lots stores, are being recalled because of a supply hose defect, which can cause the table to accidentally catch fire. At the time of the recall on Nov. 10, there were 17 reports of incorrect hose installation, 12 reports of hoses igniting, four reports of property damage from the table, and one report of a customer getting burned. And for more household safety hazards to watch out for, beware that If You Have These Popular Pieces of Furniture at Home, Get Rid of Them.
3 | Ring doorbells
BrandonKleinVideo/ShutterstockIronically, Ring video doorbells have been recalled over safety concerns. The CPSC reports that 350,000 of Ring’s second generation doorbells sold in the U.S. and an additional 8,700 doorbells sold in Canada have been recalled over their risk of catching fire if the product's screws were installed incorrectly. As of Nov. 10, 23 doorbells had ignited, and there had been eight reports of users receiving “minor burns.” And for another danger you could be exposing yourself to, know that This Common Household Item Has Been Recalled Over Fire Risk.
4 | Rogue Home timers
ShutterstockOn Nov. 4, approximately 8,900 Coulter Ventures Rogue Home Timers—a product used to time exercise intervals—were recalled due to their risk of catching fire, as well. According to the recall notice from the CPSC, there had been seven reports of the timer's lithium-ion batteries overheating, leading to two incidents in which the timer’s battery case melted, posing a potential fire risk. And for more recall news delivered directly to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
5 | Yeti mugs
YetiIn early November, Yeti announced the recall of its Rambler travel mugs due to injury and burn risk after it was discovered that the magnetic slider that's supposed to keep the lid sealed can potentially eject, causing the mug’s contents to spill and burn users. As of the Nov. 4 recall date, there had been two reports of the slider ejecting but no injuries, thankfully. And if you want to protect yourself and your loved ones, know that If You Use This Popular Soap, Your Bottle Could Be Contaminated.
6 | Salsa Cycles bikes
Shutterstock/VitphoOn Nov. 10, the CPSC reported that Quality Bicycle Products recalled some of its Salsa Cycles Cutthroat Bicycles due to the bike posing an injury risk to riders. The bikes, which were sold between Sept. 2019 and Sept. 2020 at retailers throughout North America, are susceptible to having the frame’s fork crack. So far, the company has been notified of seven incidences of forks cracking, though there have been no reported injuries. "Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled bicycles, contact Salsa Cycles, and bring the recalled Salsa Cutthroat bicycles, frame sets, and aftermarket forks to a Salsa authorized retailer for inspection and free installation of a replacement fork," the CPSC warns. And for another product that poses a risk, know that Target Just Recalled 122,500 Pairs of Shoes For This Scary Reason.
