Children's Gel Candle Kits
CPSC Recall #02-089 — January 23, 2002
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 02-089 |
| Recall Date | January 23, 2002 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | 2,300 |
Where It Was Sold
| Value City and Schottenstein discount stores nationwide sold these gel candle kits from July 2001 through December 2001 for about $4. |
Product
Children's Gel Candle Kits
Description
In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Value City and Schottenstein stores, of Columbus, Ohio, are voluntarily recalling about 2,300 children's gel candle kits. The Gel Candles kit includes four bags of gel chips in bright colors, wicks, glitter, two glass holders, and two plastic candleholders. The candleholders are in the shapes of a bumblebee and a dragonfly, or a tulip and a daisy. The gel is scented in fruit flavors. The kits have model numbers "3041" or "3042" written on the box. Other writing on the box includes, "Express Ways!™ Gel Candles." "Scent- sational Colored Gel!" and "AGES 8 AND OLDER."
Hazard
When burned, the gel candle can melt the plastic candleholders included with the kit, posing a fire hazard to consumers.
Incidents & Injuries
CPSC has received two reports of consumers claiming the plastic candleholder melted and started a fire. One report involved substantial damage to the consumer's home, and a consumer reportedly suffered burns to his hands and feet. The other report involved minor damage to furniture.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using these candles immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a refund.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Refund at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Refund) at no cost to you.
If the product caused a fire or burn injury, document the incident with photos and preserve the product if it is safe to do so. Report the incident to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov and to your local fire department. Contact the manufacturer to inform them of the incident — they are required to track and report injuries to CPSC. You may also want to consult a personal injury attorney, as fire and burn injuries caused by defective products can be grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer.
In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.
If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.