Neiman Marcus "CerArte" candles

CPSC Recall #00-045 - December 22, 1999

Recall Summary

Recall Number00-045
Recall DateDecember 22, 1999
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedAbout 5,600
Manufactured InItaly

Where It Was Sold

Neiman Marcus sold 22 different styles of "CerArte" candles through December 22
1999. The candles sold for approximately $15 to $35. These same candles may have been sold at other retail stores.

Product

Neiman Marcus "CerArte" candles

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Neiman Marcus Group, Inc., is recalling about 5,600 candles with painted metallic surfaces. The painted surfaces on these candles can ignite, spark, burn rapidly, and drip wax, posing a fire hazard. Neiman Marcus received several reports from consumers, including one where these candles sparked and burned so rapidly that hot wax spilled from the candle onto adjoining surfaces. No injuries were reported. These painted metallic "CerArte" candles are packaged in clear plastic and have a gold label on the bottom which states "Made in Italy." A Neiman Marcus label is placed on the bottom of the candle too. Neiman Marcus sold 22 different styles of "CerArte" candles through December 22, 1999. The candles sold for approximately $15 to $35. The "CerArte" candles come in many shapes, including Christmas Ball, Criss-Cross Pillar, Fleur De Lys Pillar, Swirl Cone, Swirl Egg, Gift Box, Tear Drop, Criss-Cross Taper, Fleur De Lys Taper, Joker, Kiss, Christmas Tree, and Jolly Jester. Consumers should stop using these candles immediately and return them to any Neiman Marcus store for a refund. For more information, call Neiman Marcus at 800-685-6695. These same candles may have been sold at other retail stores.

Hazard

The painted surfaces on these candles can ignite, spark, burn rapidly, and drip wax, posing a fire hazard.

Incidents & Injuries

Neiman Marcus received several reports from consumers, including one where these candles sparked and burned so rapidly that hot wax spilled from the candle onto adjoining surfaces. No injuries were reported.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using these candles immediately and return them to any Neiman Marcus store for a 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.