Decorative Jack-O-Lanterns

CPSC Recall #03-014 — October 15, 2002

Recall Summary

Recall Number03-014
Recall DateOctober 15, 2002
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedAbout 26,000

Where It Was Sold

Target stores nationwide sold the Jack-O-Lanterns from September 2000 through October 2002 for about $5.

Product

Decorative Jack-O-Lanterns

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Target Corp., of Minneapolis, Minn., is voluntarily recalling about 26,000 ceramic Jack-O-Lanterns. The flame of a candle placed inside the Jack-O-Lantern could ignite the straw ribbon on the outside, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers. Target has received two reports of candles causing smoke and heat at the top of the Jack-O-Lantern, though no injuries or property damage has been reported. The recalled ceramic Jack-O-Lanterns are shaped like a pumpkin and are five inches tall, six inches wide, and three inches deep. The tan colored pumpkins have an opening in the back and a straw ribbon attached to the stem of the Jack-O-Lantern. A label attached to the stem of the pumpkin reads, "OCTOBER HARVEST." The Jack-O-Lanterns were manufactured in China. Target stores nationwide sold the Jack-O-Lanterns from September 2000 through October 2002 for about $5.Consumers should immediately stop using the Jack-O-Lanterns and return them to the Target store where purchased for a full refund. For more information, call Target at (800) 440-0680 anytime or log on to the company's website at www.target.com.

Hazard

The flame of a candle placed inside the Jack-O-Lantern could ignite the straw ribbon on the outside, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers.

Incidents & Injuries

Target has received two reports of candles causing smoke and heat at the top of the Jack-O-Lantern, though no injuries or property damage has been reported. 

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should immediately stop using the Jack-O-Lanterns and return them to the Target store where purchased 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.