According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), on February 9, 2007, HoMedics, Inc. recalled approximately 300,000 heating pads produced in 2001. Marketed nationwide to Walgreens as well as to pharmacies, discount stores and department stores, the defective heating pads were widely disseminated across the U.S. in 2001 and 2002.

The defective heating pads overheat when a faulty connector crimp leads to a high resistance connection in the electrical conduction system. The high resistance connection heats up to excessive temperatures and can burn consumers. The same hot connection can also start fires. Property damage linked to use of the defective heating pads has already been reported to HoMedics, Inc. All consumers should stop using these defective heading pads immediately and return them to the retailer where purchased for a full refund.

Eight reports of first degree burns related to the use of the pads have been submitted to HoMedics, Inc. First degree burns damage the outer layer of the skin or the dermis. They also cause reddening of the skin and pain. Five additional reports of similar burns possibly caused by the defective heating pads have been received.

Models involved in the recall are as follows:

• Model 802857 (Walgreens by HoMedics) Standard size Moist/Dry Heating pad; sold exclusively through Walgreens stores
• HoMedics Thera-P Model HP-100 Standard Size Dry Heating Pad
• HoMedics Thera-P Model HP-150 Standard Size Moist/Dry Heating Pad
• HoMedics Thera-P Model HP-200 Standard Size Moist/Dry Heating with Auto Shut-off
• HoMedics Thera-P Model HP-300 King Size Moist/Dry Heating Pad
• HoMedics Thera-P Model HP-500 King Size Moist/Dry Heating Pad with Auto Shut-off

All HoMedics heating pads are marked with a 4-digit date code that is located on the back of the hand control as well as on the bottom panel of the color box. Only heating pads with 4-digit date codes that end in “01” are being recalled.

For more information, contact HoMedics at 1-800-466-3342. If you have been burned or experienced any other injuries while using this product, we urge you to make a report to the FDA’s MedWatch program.

Make a MedWatch report now.

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration Press Release, “HoMedics Announces NATIONWIDE Voluntary Recall of Certain of its Heating Pads Produced in 2001 and Shipped by HoMedics within the United States in 2001 and 2002,” February 9, 2007.