October 16, 2002
Target Corp. Announces Recall of Decorative Jack-O-Lanterns

Target Corp., of Minneapolis, Minn., is voluntarily recalling about 26,000 ceramic Jack-O-Lanterns. The flame of a candle placed inside the Jack-O-Lantern could ignite the straw ribbon on the outside, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers.

Target has received two reports of candles causing smoke and heat at the top of the Jack-O-Lantern, though no injuries or property damage has been reported.

The recalled ceramic Jack-O-Lanterns are shaped like a pumpkin and are five inches tall, six inches wide, and three inches deep. The tan colored pumpkins have an opening in the back and a straw ribbon attached to the stem of the Jack-O-Lantern. A label attached to the stem of the pumpkin reads, "OCTOBER HARVEST." The Jack-O-Lanterns were manufactured in China. Target stores nationwide sold the Jack-O-Lanterns from September 2000 through October 2002 for about $5.

Consumers should immediately stop using the Jack-O-Lanterns and return them to the Target store where purchased for a full refund. For more information, call Target at (800) 440-0680 anytime or log on to the company's website at http://www.target.com/gp/browse.html/ref=br_bx_2/601-0106803-7409714?node=1200600