Work Item
ASTM WK72273
New Specification for Consumer Safety Specification for Weighted Blankets
1. Scope
1.1.This consumer safety specification establishes performance requirements, test methods, and labeling requirements to promote the safe use of Weighted Blankets intended for consumer use. 1.2.This specification does not apply to weighted blankets that are intended for therapeutic purposes, to cure an ailment, or ameliorate any health condition. 1.3.This consumer safety specification is intended to reduce the risk of death and injury resulting from use and reasonably foreseeable misuse or abuse of Weighted Blankets. 1.4.No Weighted Blanket produced after the approval date of this consumer safety specification shall, either by label or other means, indicate compliance with this specification unless it conforms to all requirements contained herein. 1.5.The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard. 1.6.This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Keywords
blanket, consumer
Rationale
This consumer safety specification is intended to address mitigate potential hazards associated with weighted blankets. A search the incident and fatality databases at the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) identified two fatalities involving weighted blankets. One case involved a 7-month-old who was in the crib with a weighted blanket. The baby was found face down with the blanket wrapped around the legs and feet. The second case involved a 7-year-old autistic boy who was rolled into a weighted blanket with his arms restrained by a caregiver and left unattended. Neither incident involved a defective product; rather both fatalities involved misuse of the blanket. This specification does not address incidents in which Weighted Blankets are unreasonably misused or are used in a careless manner that disregards the warnings on the product or instructions that are provided with the product. This consumer safety specification is written within the current state-of-the-art product technology. It is intended that this specification will be updated whenever substantive information becomes available and known to ASTM which necessitates additional requirements or justifies the revision of existing requirements.
The title and scope are in draft form and are under development within this ASTM Committee.
Work Item Status
Date Initiated: 03-13-2020
Technical Contact: Kathleen Huddy
Item: 001
Ballot: F15.74 (21-01)
Status: Will Reballot Item
Item: 008
Ballot: F15 (22-04)
Status: Will Reballot Item