WASHINGTON — Target is recalling nearly 5 million candles due to snagging and burning risks, according to a notice Thursday from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
The goal is to recall approximately 5 million Threshold glass candles in multiple sizes and different scents over tearing and burn hazards.
The recall affects about 4.9 million Threshold-branded glass candles sold in multiple sizes and different scents — including water mint, eucalyptus, apple blossom, breeze, warm apple cider, cinnamon, and more.
According to a CPSC notification, Target has received 137 reports of sill candle jars breaking or cracking during use. Six injuries were reported – including serious cuts and burns.
Thursday’s notice said consumers who have Threshold products withdrawn should “immediately stop using them.” Candles may be returned to any Target store or by mail for a full refund.
Details of the size, scent, and item numbers of candles are listed on the CPSC website and target recall page.
The recalled Threshold products were sold exclusively at Target stores and on the retailer’s website in Minneapolis from August 2019 through March 2023. Sale prices range from $3 to $20, the CPSC said.
“Target is committed to providing our guests with high-quality, safe products,” Target spokesperson Joe Unger said in a statement to The Associated Press, urging customers who own “any recalled items” to return them for a full refund.
The 10 biggest product recalls of the past decade
A look at the last decade of product recalls
updated
For 50 years, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission has worked to reduce preventable injuries and deaths related to consumer products. The agency does this by enforcing product standards, assessing potential risks, and providing oversight of product recalls. Refunds may include product repair, replacement or refund for products that have been taken off the market.
Estey & Bomberger, LLP has compiled a list of the largest product recalls since 2007. These recalls have been ranked based on the number of product units recalled in the United States, using data provided by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.
These efforts have contributed to a significant decrease in injuries and deaths over the past few decades. According to a speech delivered in February 2022 by Committee Chairman Aleksander Hohen-Saric, the rate of deaths in the cot and infant poisoning incidents has decreased by almost 80% since the early 1970s. Moreover, there was a significant decrease in pool- and floor-cycling-related injuries over the same period. However, despite this progress, consumer product injuries and deaths still cost the US economy an estimated $1 trillion each year.
Large-scale product recalls are a burden on both businesses and the consuming public alike—not just in terms of the market value of the products themselves, but in terms of the time dollar value of conducting a recall and the erosion of public trust that would normally derive from them.
Keep reading to learn more about the top 10 recalls of the last 15 years.
#10. Mattel, Inc. Polly Pocket Magnetic Playsets
updated
In August 2007, the CPSC issued a voluntary recall notice for Polly Pocket dolls and playsets on behalf of Mattel. This recall advised consumers to stop using approximately 7.3 million toys sold between May 2003 and November 2006 due to concerns that loose magnets could be swallowed by children. Mattel offered vouchers for toys of equal value to replace dangerous magnetic playsets.
This action expanded upon an earlier recall made in November 2006, in which Mattel received more than 400 additional reports of magnets in toys. Three children were seriously injured as the magnets attracted each other inside the children’s bodies and caused tears in their intestines.
#9. Mega Brands America, Inc. Magnetix magnetic building sets
updated
The recall of Magnetix magnetic building sets issued in March 2006 for children under the age of six was expanded in April 2007 as children continued to suffer serious injuries from the product. This expansion brought the total recall to nearly 8 million units, including all sets for ages 6 and up sold before March 31, 2006.
Nearly 1,500 accidents of magnets separating from other masonry pieces have been reported, along with 27 intestinal injuries. A 20-month-old boy also died after swallowing an attached magnet inside his intestines.
In May 2007, the Chicago Tribune reported that the CPSC did not take appropriate action to withdraw the toys until after the child’s death. After nearly two years, Mega Brands America agreed to a $1.1 million fine for failing to provide information about the risks of magnetic building kits in a timely manner.
#8. Conair Corp. Cuisinart Food Processors
updated
It is estimated that more than 8 million Cuisinart food processors were recalled in December 2016 due to problems with their blades. Many models sold between July 1996 and December 2015 have blades that have chipped over time or small pieces of metal have broken off.
Sixty-nine incidents of blade breakages found in processed foods have been reported to Conair. Thirty consumers reported cuts to their mouths or injuries to their teeth from these metal fragments. A class action settlement resulted from this issue, and Cuisinart offered customers free replacement blades as part of the recall process.
# 7. Zen Magnets LLC
updated
About 10 million Zen magnets and Neopolis ball magnets were recalled in August 2021. These magnets posed the same problem noted with other magnetic toys: the risk of children swallowing them and the potential for magnets to cause internal damage. Two such cases have been reported; Both require surgery to remove the magnet and repair the intestinal damage.
Zen Magnets asked consumers to stop using all magnets produced by their company and offered to refund all purchases. These magnets were later removed from the market and are no longer for sale.
#6. Low-profile roman shades and roll-up blinds
updated
In December 2010, Lowe’s joined a number of other companies in a voluntary recall involving window coverings. The recall includes approximately 6 million Roman shades and 5 million roll-up blinds of all styles and sizes, because they present a choking hazard.
There have been two reported incidents of children becoming entangled in the cords of Roman shades, but no incidents involving roller blinds. Both methods were invoked, however, because of the possibility of loops or ropes being wrapped around a child’s neck.
Repair kits were made available as part of this recall, allowing consumers to safely repair any Roman shades purchased between 1999 and June 2010, as well as any roller-up blinds purchased between 1999 and January 2005. The CPSC also issued a comprehensive recommendation for consumers to use cordless window coverings in homes with have children.
# 5. Schneider Electric USA
updated
Almost 15 million Schneider Electric condoms were recalled in October 2013 due to overheating, smoking, and melting. These fire hazards were found on models produced before 2003, more than a decade before the recall was issued. Schneider Electric claimed this was because the incidents reported to it were rare, occurring in less than 0.01% of the products ultimately recalled.
According to the CPSC, the company has received 700 reports of surge protection devices overheating and melting. Fifty-five smoke and fire incidents were cited, as well as 13 injuries such as burns and smoke inhalation. Significant damage also resulted from some of these accidents, including $750,000 in damage to a medical facility and $916,000 in damage to a home.
#4. Ikea Malm cabinets
updated
First released in June 2016, Ikea dressers and cabinets were re-announced in November 2017 following the furniture-related death of an eighth child. More than 17 million units manufactured between January 2002 and June 2016, including the popular Malm model, have been recalled due to instability and a risk of tipping over if not properly secured to a wall. As part of this recall, Ikea offered consumers the option of a refund, including free pick-up of the cabinet from their home, or a wall-mount kit including a one-time free installation.
Ikea has received nearly 300 reports of Malm and other clothing designers tipping over, injuring 144 children. Multiple lawsuits have been filed against the company, including one $46 million settlement for a death that occurred nearly a year after the initial summons. A class action lawsuit was also filed in May 2020, claiming that IKEA knowingly sold dressers prone to tipping over, did not properly notify consumers of the withdrawal, and refused to provide refunds.
#3. McDonald’s Step-iT Activity Wristbands
updated
In August 2016, McDonald’s issued a voluntary recall order for the “Step-iT” wristbands included with that month’s Happy Meals. Approximately 29 million units have been recalled in the United States due to the potential for causing skin irritation and burns to children wearing pedometers on their wrists. Canada also recalled about 3.6 million devices.
More than 70 such injuries have been reported, including seven cases where children developed blisters from their wrist ligaments. One mother reported that her child was burned by the device after just eight minutes of using it.
McDonald’s quickly responded to the concerns by offering an alternative toy alongside a choice of yogurt or apple slices when consumers returned the wristbands to any store.
#2. Worthington Industries torch cylinders
updated
Worthington Industries recalled more than 29 million gas cylinders in February 2012 due to a potential fire hazard. Three different types of cylinders — Map Pro, propylene, and MAPP — have seals that can leak, and thus start a fire, after torches are separated from them.
CPSC cited no known injuries or incidents from these products, which were sold between October 2004 and January 2014. Worthington Industries has offered a full refund or replacement of all damaged gas cylinders, used or unused. The company also provided specific guidance on how to safely handle partially used cylinders by testing for leaks and burning any remaining fuel before returning them.
# 1. UTC Fire & Security Kidde Fire Extinguishers with Plastic Handles
updated
In the largest recall in the past 15 years, nearly 38 million Kidde fire extinguishers were recalled in the United States in November 2017 due to failure to operate properly. Another 2.7 million have also been withdrawn in Canada. These extinguishers had multiple problems including clogs, difficulty spraying, and nozzles disconnecting with enough force to harm users. More than 140 models of plastic-handled, push-button fire extinguishers have been recalled, dating back to 1973.
One fatality was reported in 2014, related to a car accident and subsequent fire where Kidd’s fire extinguishers did not work. Another sixteen injuries, 91 property destruction incidents, and nearly 400 incidents where fire extinguishers failed to function properly or the nozzle was reported were reported. In January 2021, Kidd was ordered to pay a $12 million fine over allegations that the company did not inform CPSC of potential risks in a timely manner.
This story originally appeared on Estey & Bomberger, LLP and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.
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