Recall of target problems for more than 200,000 weighted blankets after 2 children die

Target issued a recall of more than 200,000 weighted blankets after two North Carolina children died of suffocation, federal authorities and Target said Thursday.

The girls, ages 4 and 6, died at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, after they became trapped in the blankets in April, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said in a news release.

Target urged people who bought 6-pound Pillowfort blankets to stop using them immediately and contact the store for a refund.

“A small child could be trapped by unzipping and entering the blanket, posing a risk of death by suffocation,” the company said.

“We send our deepest condolences and support to the family who lost their loved ones,”[ads1]; a company spokesperson added in an emailed statement. “As soon as we became aware of the situation, we acted quickly to begin removing Pillowfort Weighted Blankets from our assortment and have removed all of these items from sale.”

Target received four reports of children becoming trapped in 6-pound blankets, including the two deaths, the federal agency said.

The rugs, sold exclusively by Target, were available from December 2018 through September, the agency said. The recall was issued for 204,000 carpets, it said.