With more than 1,400 retail stores in the United States, Big Lots is a well-known retailer of a wide variety of products, from household items and decorative items to electronics and food items. During the past few years, the company has had to recall a few products due to defects that make the products unsafe. Last year, Big Lots recalled about 6,900 garden swings due to a defect that could’ve caused the swing to detach. Now, the CPSC announced the recall of about 30,000 tabletop torches sold exclusively at Big Lots due to fire and burn hazards.
The tabletop torches are run on liquid citronella fuel that can flare up and put consumers and their surroundings at risk for fires and burns once lit. There have been 20 incidents in which liquid fuel caused high flames, including two serious burn incidents involving second and third degree burns, according to Reuters. All 20 incidents involved property damage, as well.
The tabletop torches are covered in colorful glass pieces that are in a mosaic pattern. The products feature either a yellow label on the bottom or a hang tag bearing item numbers DC12-21111 or DC10-20160.
The products were available at Big Lots from March 2013 to June 2013 for between $8 and $20. The CPSC suggests that consumers immediately stop using the tabletop torches and return them to a Big Lots store for a complete refund. Big Lots can be contacted at 866-244-5687 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. In addition, more information can be found on Big Lots’ website, www.biglots.com, by clicking on the “Recalls” link at the bottom of the page.