Original; see modified release: Tea Lights Recalled by Home Interiors and Gifts

NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs

Washington, DC 20207

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 11, 2002
Release # 03-052

Firm's Recall Hotline: (800) 749-4545
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Mark Ross, (301) 504-7076
Home Interiors Media Contact: Cynthia Pharr, (972) 931-7576

CPSC, Home Interiors and Gifts Announce Recall of Tea Lights

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Home Interiors and Gifts Inc., of Carrollton, Texas, is voluntarily recalling about 211,000 sets of tea lights. Flames from the tea lights can flare, and the excessive heat can cause the plastic holders to melt, posing a fire hazard.

Home Interiors and Gifts has received 22 reports of the tea lights flaring up and melting their plastic holders. These incidents have resulted in minor property damage. No injuries have been reported.

The recalled tea lights are packaged 12 candles per box with "Home Interiors" written on the top of the box. Each tea light candle has a clear plastic base and is either red or ivory in color. The tea light candles are imported from Hong Kong.

Home Interiors' direct sales associates exclusively sold the recalled tea lights from September 2002 through November 2002 for about $5 per box.

Consumers should stop using the tea lights immediately and return any unused tea lights by mail to Home Interiors at 2901 Trade Center Drive, Suite 100, Carrollton, TX 75007. Consumers should include their return address information to receive a retail gift certificate from Home Interiors for the full purchase cost and shipping cost of the tea lights. For more information, consumers can contact Home Interiors at (800) 749-4545 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.