Jack 'O Lantern buckets containing eight tea lights

CPSC Recall #06-012 — October 18, 2005

Recall Summary

Recall Number06-012
Recall DateOctober 18, 2005
Remedy TypeNew Instructions
Units AffectedAbout 48,500

Where It Was Sold

Grocery and discount stores nationwide sold these Halloween decorations beginning in July 2005 for between $2 and $3.

Product

Jack 'O Lantern buckets containing eight tea lights

Description

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Far East Brokers and Consultants, Inc., of Jacksonville, Fla., is warning consumers about 48,500 Jack 'O Lantern buckets containing eight tea lights. The Halloween decoration is intended for use with a single tea light candle. If all eight candles included with the unit are lit at the same time, it can generate too much heat and pose a fire hazard.The firm has received three reports of fires when consumers lit the eight candles in the bottom of the bucket decoration. The reports include damage to carpets and a table, other minor property damage and one second degree burn.The Jack 'O Lantern buckets are tea light candle holders sold in three colors: orange, cream and black. The buckets are about 6.25 inches high and about 7 inches in diameter at the top. They have item number 14609-00 or 14609-02 written on a sticker located on the bottom of the buckets.Grocery and discount stores nationwide sold these Halloween decorations beginning in July 2005 for between $2 and $3.Consumers with these decorations are urged to use only a single candle at a time. Also, ensure the wick of the tea light is trimmed according to the instructions on the bottom of the bucket and follow the other burning instructions.For more information, contact Far East Brokers and Consultants, Inc. toll-free at (877) 332-9006 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

Hazard

If all eight candles included with the unit are lit at the same time, it can generate too much heat and pose a fire hazard.

Incidents & Injuries

The firm has received three reports of fires when consumers lit the eight candles in the bottom of the bucket decoration. The reports include damage to carpets and a table, other minor property damage and one second degree burn.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers with these decorations are urged to use only a single candle at a time. Also, ensure the wick of the tea light is trimmed according to the instructions on the bottom of the bucket and follow the other burning instructions.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a New Instructions 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 (New Instructions) 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.