The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued "an urgent recall" of 162,000 women’s full length chenille robes after getting reports of six deaths caused by the robes catching fire. 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.

The robes fail to meet federal flammability requirements.They were first recalled in April after the CPSC and Blair learned of three robes catching fire, including one report of second-degree burns. Blair later learned of the fatalities after it had sent letters about the original recall to consumers who had purchased the robes.

The robes were sold in Blair catalogs and on its Web site and in Blair stores in Warren, Pa., Grove City, Pa., and Wilmington, Del., from January 2003 through March 2009 for $20 to $40.

On its Web site, Blair says that independent testing labs had approved the robes for sale. Blair said that although it had been selling the robes for five years, it did not receive any reports of flammability issues until late 2008. After receiving those reports it began working with the CPSC.

Blair said it also took a number of steps to alert its customers including:

• Mailing a letter on April 21 to the address of every catalog and internet customer who purchased one of these robes;
• Sending a follow-up letter on June 9th to all customers who did not respond to the first mailing;
• E-mailing customers who purchased a robe either online or through one of its catalogs and did not respond to the mailings;
• Calling approximately 63,000 customers with robes still in their possession;
• Placing advertisements in local papers to alert consumers to return the robes;
• Posting information about the recall on its Web site.

It was through this outreach that the company learned of the six fatalities. “CPSC urges all consumers to report any incidents or injuries involving consumer products, even after a recall has been announced,” said Acting CPSC Chairman Thomas Moore. “Contact the CPSC so that we may help prevent tragic deaths or injuries like those that might be related to the Blair robes.”

The robe is a floor-length one-piece garment made of plush chenille with a full-button front with seven button closures and long, loose sleeves. The robes have the following item numbers: 3093111, 3093112, 3093113, 3093114, 3093115 and 3093116. The item number is identified on a label in the garment’s neckline. The robe’s sewn in label states: “100% Cotton, RN 81700, Made in Pakistan”.

Blair is offering a refund or a $50 gift card and can be contacted at (877) 392-7095 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday, by visiting the firm’s Web site at www.blair.com/recall, or by contacting the firm by e-mail at blairproductrecall@blair.com.