Latest news with #electricblanket
Daily Mail
21-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Walmart recalls item they warn to 'dispose of immediately' after reports of burn injuries
Walmart has recalled a range of electric blankets after reports they have caught fire and caused serious burns. The grocery giant has been forced to recalled the MaxKare Electric Blankets after the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) received reports from consumers that the blankets had overheated, caught fire and caused serious burn injuries. The blankets, available in brown and gray, were sold exclusively online by Walmart between June 2021 and November 2024. They came in twin, full, queen sizes costing between $27 to $80. The roughly 8,500 items effected by the recall notice will bear the model numbers HB18A-7284-1, HB18A-8490-2 or HB18A-6284-1 which can be found on the blanket's label. The retailer has urged anyone who bought the effected products to dispose of them immediately. Those that wish to seek refunds can contact the blanket's manufacturer Shenzhen Yumo Commerce. 'Walmart and Sam's Club are committed to the health and safety of our customers and members and to providing products that are safe and compliant, all supported by our health and wellness, product safety, and food safety professionals,' the retailer said in a statement regarding the latest recall. 'In the event of a product recall, we work swiftly to block the item from being sold and remove it from our stores and clubs.' It comes as federal officials announced they have launched an investigation into the deaths of three people and a pregnancy loss connected to ready meals sold at retail giants Walmart and Kroger. Food distributor FreshRealm announced earlier this week that it would be recalling its chicken fettuccine alfredo products over listeria concerns. The US Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is now investigating the outbreak, which has sickened 17 people in 13 states. The affected products include 32.8oz and 12.3oz trays of Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettucine pasta with best-by dates of June 26 and 27, 2025. Also included in the recall is 12.5oz trays of Home Chef Heat & Eat Chicken Fettucine Alfredo pasta with a best-by date of June 19,2025 or before. The meals are sold nationwide at Walmart, under the Marketside brand, and Kroger, under the Home Chef brand. A listeria infection usually causes fever, headache and diarrhea in most people, but it can be deadly for pregnant women, newborns, the elderly and those with weak immune systems. Federal officials launched an investigation into the deaths of three people and a pregnancy loss connected to ready meals sold at Walmart Earlier this year Walmart was forced to recall its Marketside celery sticks from stores in 29 states over possible listeria contamination. The issue was discovered during a random sampling by the Georgia Department of Agriculture. A month later Walmart was also embroiled in another mass recall of canned tuna over a potentially fatal food poisoning risk. Tri-Union Seafoods announced the recall after its supplier informed the company that the cans' 'easy open' pull tab lids have a manufacturing defect.
CNET
10-06-2025
- Health
- CNET
The Right Way to Wash a Heated Blanket Safely
Nothing matches the feeling of crawling into a warm bed after a long, tiring day, especially if you have an electric heated blanket. These not only provide targeted warmth but are also cost-effective, eliminating the need to heat the entire room. Despite their benefits, electric heated blankets come with some concerns, especially for first-time users. Chief among them: How do you wash one? After all, most electric blanket manufacturers recommend washing the blanket before use. If you've been wondering this, too, you're not alone. Several Reddit users share the same concern, having tried various cleaning hacks and ruining a few blankets along the way. Here's everything you need to know so you can use your heated blanket without worrying. If you're looking for more information about sleep, check out the wellness editors' favorite sleep tips and how to take a nap without ruining your sleep. Can you wash a heated blanket? Generally speaking, yes. Most electric blankets are machine washable and can even be dried in the dryer. But before you go toss yours in the next load of laundry, take a moment to read the blanket's care instructions. Different blankets may have different washing instructions. For example, Sunbeam, a blanket manufacturer, recommends presoaking the blanket and then washing it in cold water and mild soap on delicate for two minutes. Another blanket maker, Sleepme, makes electric blankets with weighted inserts. They recommend removing the insert, then washing only the outer cover on a gentle cycle. Materials you'll need to wash your heated blanket Depending on the care instructions, here are some things you may need to wash your electric blanket. Washer Dryer or drying rack/clothesline Laundry detergent Clean cloths (if needed for stain treating) How to wash an electric blanket Washing a heated blanket isn't difficult, but there are usually some things you'll need to do to prepare the blanket for the washing machine. Here are step-by-step instructions to follow. 1. Remove the cords The electric blankets cords are what allow the electricity to travel from the outlet into the blanket. Electrical cords should not be submerged in water. Damaging the cords could cause the blanket to malfunction or stop working entirely. It's best to remove all connected cords to ensure the blanket isn't damaged. 2. Review the blanket's washing instructions Somewhere on the blanket or in the information that came with it, there will be washing and drying instructions. They will usually indicate if the blanket can be machine washed or should be hand washed, what washing machine cycle to use, how to dry and even sometimes soap specifications. It's important to read these before laundering the blanket. If the washing instructions indicate that the blanket must be hand washed, skip ahead to step four. 3. Run on a delicate cycle Most electric blankets should be washed on a delicate or gentle cycle. This helps to eliminate dislodging or damaging the wiring inside the blanket. 4. Wash by hand Though most heated blankets can be washed in a washing machine, there may be some that must be hand washed. In that case, remove the cords, and fill your washing tub with cold water and gentle detergent. After you've soaked the blanket for a bit, use your hands to wash the blanket, similar to how a washing machine agitates. When you're satisfied with the amount of washing done, drain and refill the tub with water to rinse the blanket. Do this until all soap is gone from the blanket. Squeeze excess water out and either lay flat to dry or dry in the machine on low if the care instructions indicate you can do so. 5. Dry the heated blanket Most electric blankets can be tumble dried on low in the dryer. Be sure to dry your blanket according to the instructions provided by the manufacturer. If the blanket must be air-dried, try laying it between two towels to soak up excess water and then lay or hang it flat to dry. You might be tempted to wring out excess water by twisting the blanket, but do not do this as it may cause damage to the internal often should you wash a heated blanket? How often you should wash your electric blanket depends on how much the blanket is used. As a general rule, you should wash the blanket when you think it needs it. You may need to wash it infrequently if it is on a bed that doesn't often get used, or if you're a nightly user, you might prefer to get in a routine of washing the blanket each time you wash your other bedding. If you plan to pack away the blanket, wash it before putting it in storage. When you shouldn't wash a heated blanket Do not wash a heated blanket that still has any cords attached. Additionally, if the blanket's care instructions suggest hand washing instead of machine washing, do not wash the blanket in the washing machine. How to get rid of stains on a heated blanket If you use your electric blanket a lot, it's inevitable that, eventually, you'll need to treat a stain or two. In most cases, a regular washing process will do, but when it won't, try mixing some laundry detergent and warm water and pretreating. Using a clean cloth, apply the soapy water mixture to the stain. You can either leave that setting and then wash the blanket following its care instructions or rinse the stain-treated area with another damp cloth and then air dry.
