Tiki® Bamboo Torches and Replacement Fuel Canisters

CPSC Recall #05-249 — August 22, 2005

Recall Summary

Recall Number05-249
Recall DateAugust 22, 2005
Remedy TypeReplace
Units AffectedAbout 963,000 torches and about 18,000 replacement canisters
ManufacturerLamplight Farms Inc., of Menomonee Falls, Wis.
Manufactured InChina

Where It Was Sold

Wal-Mart
The Home Depot
Lowe's and other home and hardware stores nationwide from December 2004 through July 2005 for between $5 and $6. The replacement canisters were sold for about $1.40.

Product

Tiki® Bamboo Torches and Replacement Fuel Canisters

Description

These 5-foot-tall Tiki® bamboo torches consist of a bamboo pole with a weaved basket at the top and a metal flame guard, which is a circular black piece that holds the wick in place and attaches to the fuel canister. The recall includes the Tiki® Beachcomber, Seagrass and Sandpiper model torches. The recall also involves replacement canisters that have the metal flame guards. Recalled units have the following UPC numbers: 086861010372 (Beachcomber), 086861013335 (Seagrass), 086861010457 (Sandpiper) and 076354995262 (Replacement Canister). The UPC number and the model name are written on the packaging or attached tag.

Hazard

The surface coating of some flame guards on these bamboo torches and replacement canisters can absorb the fuel and ignite. This can cause the torch and nearby combustibles to catch on fire, posing a risk of burn injuries and property damage.

Incidents & Injuries

Lamplight Farms has received 33 reports of torches catching on fire. There were six reports of minor injuries and nine reports of minor property damage.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should immediately stop using these torches and contact Lamplight Farms to determine if they are included in the recall. If so, they will receive free replacement flame guards.

What Should You Do?

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