Candles Exclusively Sold At Costco Recalled For Fire, Laceration Hazards

A company is recalling its jar candles that were sold exclusively at Costco because they may pose fire and laceration hazards. About 139,500 units are affected.

The problem with the Northern Lights' Alaura brand Two-Tone Jar Candles is that they can "shatter, crack or break apart" while burning, posing fire and laceration hazards, an announcement on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) website noted.

Northern Lights has received 138 reports of incidents wherein the item shattered, cracked or broke apart. This includes three reports of laceration injuries.

The candles came in two scents (Frosted Forest and Vanilla Biscotti) and were sold at Costco Wholesale warehouses nationwide and also on its online platform from August to September this year. Photos of the recalled candles are available on both the CPSC and company websites.

Those who may have bought the product are being advised to stop using the candles "immediately" and return them to any Costco warehouse to get a refund.

Those who can't return the item to Costco can email Northern Lights if they have any questions about the recall or to get instructions on how to cut the wicks on each candle "at the wax surface level" in such a way that it can't be re-lit anymore.

"Before cutting your wicks, please confirm that your candle is one of the products covered by this remedy. If you have any questions, please email photos of your product to CR@northernlightscandles.com for instructions," Northern Lights noted. "Once you are certain your product is covered by this Recall, take a single photograph showing the tops of all your covered candles to show that the wicks cannot be lit."

Customers can then use the refund request form on the company's website or contact the company at 800-407-0377. Those who have already returned their candles to Costco don't need to do anything more "at this time."

Candle safety

Candles make for pretty additions to our homes, but they can also pose dangers if not used safely.

"From 2015-2019 U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 7,400 home structure fires that were started by candles per year," the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) noted. "These fires caused an annual average of 90 deaths, 670 injuries and $291 million in direct property damage."

Citing a CPSC study, the National Candle Association (NCA) noted that 85% of candle fires can be avoided if users simply follow the three safety rules of never leaving a candle unattended, never burning a candle close to something that can catch fire and keeping candles out of children and pets' reach.

Other important safety tips include keeping burning candles at least three inches apart, not touching or moving a burning candle or when the wax is still liquefied, and following manufacturers' instructions on proper candle usage and burn time.