Ceramic Potpourri Burner
CPSC Recall #96-148 — June 18, 1996
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 96-148 |
| Recall Date | June 18, 1996 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | About 18,700 |
Where It Was Sold
| Bath & Body Works retail stores sold the ceramic potpourri burners nationwide from April 1995 through April 1996 for approximately $10. |
Product
Ceramic Potpourri Burner
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - CPSC, Bath & Body Works Inc. of Columbus, Ohio, is recalling about 18,700 ceramic potpourri burners. The ceramic potpourri burner may contain hairline cracks that can cause the burner to fracture or shatter while in use. As a result, people can be burned by hot wax and potpourri. Bath & Body Works is aware of nine incidents in which the ceramic potpourri burner cracked, exposing consumers to flames, hot potpourri, and hot wax. Two consumers received burns to the hands as they attempted to extinguish the flames. The white ceramic potpourri burner, a cylinder-shaped container measuring 5.5 inches high and 4.25 inches in diameter, is decorated with various floral designs. To heat the burner, consumers place candles in a round hole in the back of the potpourri burner. Bath & Body Works retail stores sold the ceramic potpourri burners nationwide from April 1995 through April 1996 for approximately $10. Consumers should immediately stop using the ceramic potpourri burners and return them to any Bath & Body Works retail store for a refund of the purchase price, plus a $25.00 Bath & Body Works gift certificate. For more information consumers should contact customer service at (800) 395-1001.
Hazard
The ceramic potpourri burner may contain hairline cracks that can cause the burner to fracture or shatter while in use. As a result, people can be burned by hot wax and potpourri.
Incidents & Injuries
Bath & Body Works is aware of nine incidents in which the ceramic potpourri burner cracked, exposing consumers to flames, hot potpourri, and hot wax. Two consumers received burns to the hands as they attempted to extinguish the flames.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately stop using the ceramic potpourri burners and return them to any Bath & Body Works retail store for a refund of the purchase price, plus a $25.00 Bath & Body Works gift certificate.
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.