Flammable Garments Recalled: The Consumer Product Safety...

Flammable Garments Recalled: The Consumer Product Safety Commission and a North Carolina fabric maker this week recalled more than 160,000 potentially flammable garments made of a fleece-type material. The polyester-cotton blend fabric burns faster than newspaper and fails federal flammability standards, exposing wearers to serious risk of injury, commission spokeswoman Kathleen Begala said. The fabric was used in 45 brands of clothing sold nationwide after May 1, 1994. Express Inc., J.C. Penney, Macy’s, Capezio, Marianne, Stuart’s and other retailers that sold the garments will post signs urging customers to return the items for refunds. Most were sweat shirts, hooded pullovers, casual shirts and other tops. Pants, shorts, vests, dresses, robes and skirts were also sold. The material resembles that of an inside-out sweat shirt, Begala said. Neither the safety commission nor the manufacturer, Coville Inc. of Winston-Salem, has received reports of injuries involving the fabric, Begala said. Consumers may also contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission at (800) 638-2772.