CPSC and Value City, Schottenstein Stores Announce Recall of Gel Candle Kits
Kids’ product recall 02-089. Announced by CPSC on Jan 24, 2002.
- CPSC: stop using it
Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. CPSC’s own notice is on cpsc.gov.
The short answer
Announced by CPSC on Jan 24, 2002. Copied from CPSC on Oct 19, 2026.
- Stop using it what CPSC tells owners to do now (needs attention)
- 2,300 units, as CPSC gives them
- Reported injuries, in the notice (needs attention)
Every line below is in CPSC’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
When burned, the gel candle can melt the plastic candleholders included with the kit, posing a fire hazard to consumers.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
What should you do?
Consumers should stop using these candles immediately and return them to the store where purchased, for a refund.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: For more information, call Value City at (888) 870-9181 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or go to the firm’s web site at www.valuecity.com
Which ones are recalled?
The Gel Candles kit includes four bags of gel chips in bright colors, wicks, glitter, two glass holders, and two plastic candleholders. The candleholders are in the shapes of a bumblebee and a dragonfly, or a tulip and a daisy. The gel is scented in fruit flavors. The kits have model numbers “3041” or “3042” written on the box. Other writing on the box includes, “Express Ways!™ Gel Candles.” “Scent- sational Colored Gel!” and “AGES 8 AND OLDER.”
2,300 units, as CPSC gives them.
Children’s Gel Candle Kits.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
CPSC’s photos
CPSC shows 1 photo on its notice. Hearth Record doesn’t copy them; each opens on cpsc.gov.
Who made and sold it?
- Distributed by Value City and Schottenstein stores, Columbus, Ohio.
- Value City and Schottenstein discount stores nationwide sold these gel candle kits, from July 2001 through December 2001, for about $4.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Was anyone hurt?
CPSC has received two reports of consumers claiming the plastic candleholder melted and started a fire. One report involved substantial damage to the consumer’s home, and a consumer reportedly suffered burns to his hands and feet. The other report involved minor damage to furniture.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- The notice lists no UPCs, so check the model, the description and the photos.
- The notice lists no model numbers in a field of their own; its description may give them.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Recalls API.
Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work). CPSC asks to be credited, and that no endorsement be implied.
Recalls of kids’ and home products are from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). CPSC does not endorse Hearth Record. Copied on Oct 19, 2026.