(LibertySociety.com) – Weighted blankets are heavier than normal covers, coming in at between five and 30 pounds, according to Healthline. Although originally used in pressure therapy to treat an array of ailments, they have become more common among the general population in recent years. Still, weighted blankets are not suitable for everyone.
On December 22, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) sent a notice that Target recalled over 200,000 Pillowfort Weighted Blankets after two young girls, ages four and six, became trapped in one of the blankets in April and died from suffocation. The girls were from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. They reportedly unzipped the cover and climbed inside one of the blankets.
#Recall: @Target Pillowfort weighted blankets; A young child can become entrapped by unzipping and entering the blanket, posing a risk of death by asphyxiation. Two child deaths reported. Stop use, get full refund. Full notice: https://t.co/bK06q2GlSq pic.twitter.com/0WLUhRo6gA
— US Consumer Product Safety Commission (@USCPSC) December 22, 2022
The CPSC notification stated that, including the two deaths, there were four reports of children getting stuck under the six-pound blankets. The governmental agency and Target asked customers to immediately stop using the item and contact a store to get their money refunded. Consumers purchased the now-recalled blankets between the end of 2018 through September 2022 at stores and online.
The Sleep Foundation stated weighted blankets can often be used safely by children who are the sufficient size and weight. However, it noted that there are still risks for small children and those with some kinds of health problems, adding that parents should always consult their child’s doctor before letting them use a weighted blanket.
According to Insider, Target spokesperson Joe Unger relayed his condolences to the family who suffered the loss of their children in North Carolina and said the store started working to pull the item as soon as they received the tragic news.
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