Pocono News Section

Therma Scarf Catches Fire During Tuesday Tryout

Therma Scarf Catches Fire During Tuesday Tryout - Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at 6:00PM EST

Reported by: Jeff Chirico
Tuesday, Jan 5, 2010 @ 06:00pm EST
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY --This cold snap has us looking for any way to stay warm. And for some it may mean the Therma Scarf! It's a heated wrap that claims to keep your neck and hands toasty. But our Jeff Chirico had some potentially dangerous results when the consumer unit put it to the Tuesday Tryout.

Take a look at these burn marks. This Therma Scarf heats up when you put it in the microwave. But when we did it exactly as the directions instruct -- flames sparked. The TV commercial starts “When Jack Frost nips at your neck, reach for Therma Scarf --the ultra soft scarf that wraps you in total warmth." But the so-called microwavable scarf almost burned us. Fred Vito, an Eyewitness News producer, says "there was a pop and a flash. It was a flame." It happened after only five seconds of the recommended one to two minutes. "A little old lady is going to blow herself up" says Vito.

Vito shows us the burn marks. The next day, we try it again. As instructed we place the entire scarf in the microwave. No flames but it began smoldering in new spots. "I learned growing up what you can and can't put in the microwave and I think scarf falls in that category."

But we try again. This time we put another scarf into the microwave. It didn't burn or catch fire but did warm up. Fred takes it outside. Vito says "I am warm. It's almost like a heating pad on low but it smells like a dumpster fire."

The burning odor and fear of fire sends the Therma Scarf crashing in flames on the Chirico Tryometer.

A representative from the manufacturer, Telebrands says the company has received three other complaints of similar problems. And because of our inquiry the company will now shift its investigation into high gear. It says it will not hesitate to pull the product off store shelves if they feel it's warranted.

A Consumer Product Safety Commission spokesperson couldn't tell me by this evening how many if any complaints it has received about the Therma Scarf.