Big Lots Recalls Tabletop Torches Due to Fire and Burn Hazards
CPSC Recall #13-260 — August 8, 2013
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 13-260 |
| Recall Date | August 8, 2013 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | About 30,000 |
| Manufactured In | India |
Where It Was Sold
| Big Lots stores nationwide from March 2013 through June 2013 for between $8 and $20. |
Product
Big Lots Recalls Tabletop Torches Due to Fire and Burn Hazards
Description
The glass citronella table torches can emit burning oil onto consumers, furniture and other property. Big Lots has received reports of fuel erupting from the torches with high flames. Injuries include second- and third-degree burns.
Hazard
Once lit, the glass citronella table torches can flare up and emit burning lamp oil onto consumers and property, posing fire and burn hazards.
Incidents & Injuries
Big Lots has received 20 reports of liquid fuel erupting from the torches with high flames, including two serious injuries with second and third degree burns and seven with minor burns. One of the serious burn injuries involved burns to the legs and abdomen and a second victim received burns all over the body while attempting to extinguish the flames. All of the incidents involved property damage.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled torches and return them to any Big Lots store for a full 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.