Bamboo Torches

CPSC Recall #10-306 — July 20, 2010

Recall Summary

Recall Number10-306
Recall DateJuly 20, 2010
Remedy TypeDispose
Units AffectedAbout 324,000 units 
Manufactured InChina

Where It Was Sold

CVS/Pharmacy
Rite Aid and Dollar Tree/Deals$ stores from February 2008 through March 2010 for between $3 and $5.

Product

Bamboo Torches

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.Name of Product: Bamboo TorchesUnits: About 324,000 unitsDistributor: Atico International USA Inc., of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.Hazard: The fuel canister that holds the wick of the torch has a sharp edge inside the lip of the opening that poses a laceration hazard when consumers try to remove the wick.Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received five reports of lacerations to fingers, including one that required stitches. Four of the injuries occurred when consumers were trying to retrieve a wick that had fallen into the canister.Description: This recall involves bamboo torches that have a black metal canister with a smooth black metal lid. The torches are used to light outdoor gatherings. The following are the UPC numbers included in this recall. The UPC number can be found on the tag.Model NumberUPC NumberDistribution DateDescriptionA26I06831249584485February 20085"-6" long black metal canister with a black metal lid, a wick and a wick cap made of either dark metal or wood. The canister is wrapped with red bamboo.A26I00371249597837Between April 2008 - March 20095"-6" long black metal canister with a black metal lid, a wick and a wick cap made of either dark metal or wood. The canister is wrapped with red bamboo.A26I0943639277779885February 20095"-6" long black canister with a black metal lid, a wick and no wick cap. The product is sold in packages of 2. The canister is wrapped with light beige and dark brown intertwined bamboo.Sold at: CVS/Pharmacy, Rite Aid and Dollar Tree/Deals$ stores from February 2008 through March 2010 for between $3 and $5.Manufactured in: ChinaRemedy: The firm is out of business, the remedy is no longer available, and the product should be discarded or destroyed.

Hazard

The fuel canister that holds the wick of the torch has a sharp edge inside the lip of the opening that poses a laceration hazard when consumers try to remove the wick.

Incidents & Injuries

The firm has received five reports of lacerations to fingers, including one that required stitches. Four of the injuries occurred when consumers were trying to retrieve a wick that had fallen into the canister.

Remedy Instructions

The firm is out of business, the remedy is no longer available, and the product should be discarded or destroyed.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Dispose 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 (Dispose) at no cost to you.

Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product — whether recalled or not — you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.

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.