What was recalled
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a recall involving the BUILT LUUM collection of light-up tumblers, manufactured by Lifetime Brands. This specific product line consists of plastic drinking cups available in two sizes: 16-ounce and 18-ounce capacities. Each tumbler comes equipped with a lid and a straw, designed to feature an integrated LED light at the bottom compartment powered by a preinstalled button cell battery. These items were marketed under various festive themes, including seasonal winter holiday designs such as "Festive Forest," "Merry Glow," "Let It Snow," "Winter Bloom," and "Merry Magic," as well as Fourth of July themed options like "Heart N Stars," "USA," "Stars," "Flag," "Windmill," and "Blue Fireworks."
To determine if you own one of these recalled items, you must look closely at the product label located on the underside of the tumbler or on its hangtag. The label will display the theme name starting with "LUUM," followed by the corresponding item number and UPC code. For the 18-ounce tumblers, the affected item numbers are 5323719, 5323721, 5323722, 5323723, 5323724, 5323725, 5331965, 5331966, 5331967, 5331968, 5331969, and 5331974, with respective UPC codes beginning with 843461115513 through 843461121057. For the 16-ounce versions, the item numbers are 5324497, 5324498, and 5324499, with UPC codes 843461116374, 843461116381, and 843461116398.
Lifetime Brands sold these products in various retail locations across the United States during winter holiday seasons and around Fourth of July. The company has received one report of a child gaining access to the tumbler's button cell battery and putting it in their mouth, though no injuries have been reported as of the recall date of March 19, 2026. Consumers are urged to stop using these tumblers immediately and contact Lifetime Brands for a full refund by visiting https://www.builtny.com/pages/recall or calling 888-561-2269.
The hazard, explained
At the heart of this recall is a deceptively simple mechanical failure: the plastic casing that houses the LED light and its power source can break. The BUILT LUUM tumblers are designed with a bottom compartment containing a preinstalled button cell battery to illuminate the drinkware. While these batteries are small, they are incredibly powerful for their size. When the tumbler is dropped, crushed, or subjected to stress that causes the plastic shell to fracture, the protective barrier between the child and the battery disappears. This creates an immediate and serious risk because the tiny, coin-sized battery becomes accessible to curious hands.
Once a button cell battery is within reach, the danger escalates rapidly due to how these devices interact with human tissue. If a child manages to swallow or insert the battery into their nose or ear, it can become lodged in the esophagus or other narrow passages of the body. Here lies the most critical part of the hazard: when a live button cell battery contacts moist tissue, it completes an electrical circuit. This process, known as hydrolysis, generates an external current that causes serious chemical burns to the surrounding tissue. These burns can occur in as little as two hours and can lead to severe internal injuries, including perforation of the esophagus or airway, which are life-threatening emergencies.
Beyond the immediate risk of ingestion, there is also a choking hazard. The small size of button cell batteries makes them easy for young children to fit into their mouths, where they can obstruct the airway. Even if the battery is not swallowed, the act of trying to remove it or the presence of the object in the mouth can prevent breathing. The combination of these two risks—choking from the physical obstruction and internal chemical injury from the electrical reaction—makes this type of hazard particularly dangerous compared to other small parts that might simply be swallowed without causing immediate harm.
Lifetime Brands has confirmed that this is not just a theoretical risk; there has already been one reported incident where a child gained access to the battery and placed it in their mouth. While no injuries were reported in this specific case, the potential for catastrophic harm is well-documented in medical literature regarding button cell battery ingestions. The FDA and CPSC consistently warn that these batteries are among the most dangerous household items for children under five because they are often mistaken for candy or toys due to their shiny, colorful appearance. Understanding this mechanism helps explain why the remedy is not a simple repair, but rather immediate removal and proper disposal of the hazardous component.
Who is most at risk
The primary group at immediate and severe risk from this recall consists of young children, specifically toddlers and infants who are in the developmental stage where they explore their environment by putting objects into their mouths. The BUILT LUUM Light Up Tumblers were marketed with festive themes like "Festive Forest" and "Merry Glow," designs that are inherently appealing to kids. However, the hazard is not just about the tumbler itself, but specifically about the small, preinstalled button cell battery hidden inside the LED light compartment at the base. When these plastic cups break or are disassembled by curious hands, that battery becomes accessible. For a child, who naturally investigates texture and shape with their mouth, a small, shiny, metallic object is irresistible. This is not merely a choking hazard in the traditional sense of blocking an airway; it is a far more dangerous ingestion risk that requires immediate medical attention.
The reason children are uniquely vulnerable to this specific type of injury lies in the biology of how button cell batteries behave inside the human body. Unlike other small objects that might pass through the digestive system harmlessly, a swallowed battery can cause catastrophic damage within just two hours. Once ingested, the battery completes an electrical circuit with the moist tissues of the esophagus or stomach. This generates an external current that leads to rapid chemical burns, tissue necrosis (death), and potentially life-threatening perforations of the digestive tract. The CPSC notes that this can result in internal chemical burns and even death. Because young children have smaller airways and thinner tissue structures, the damage progresses more quickly and severely than it would in an adult.
While the recall data mentions one incident involving a child gaining access to the battery without reported injury, this serves as a stark warning for all households with kids under five. These children lack the cognitive maturity to understand that a small metal disc is dangerous or that they should not put it in their mouths. They also lack the dexterity and judgment to avoid swallowing it once it is removed from the device. Although elderly individuals might also handle these tumblers, particularly those with seasonal themes used for holiday gatherings, the specific mechanism of injury—battery ingestion causing internal chemical burns—is uniquely devastating for developing bodies. Therefore, any home where a child under five has access to these cups, whether as a gift or a party favor, is at high risk until the product is properly disposed of and the battery is secured.
How to tell if you have the recalled item
Before taking any action, it is crucial to confirm whether your tumbler is part of this specific recall. Lifetime Brands has issued a recall for the BUILT LUUM collection of light-up tumblers, and identifying the correct model requires a close look at both the physical product and its packaging labels. These plastic drinking cups are distinct because they feature a bottom compartment that houses an LED light powered by a preinstalled button cell battery. The hazard stems from this battery becoming accessible if the unit breaks, so verifying you have one of these specific models is your first line of defense.
To identify your tumbler, start by checking the underside of the cup or the hangtag attached to it. You will be looking for a label that clearly states "LUUM" as the theme name, followed by the corresponding item number and UPC code. The recall covers both 16 oz. and 18 oz. capacities, so you must check the size printed on the label. The collection includes several winter holiday and Fourth of July themes, each with unique identifiers. For the 18 oz. tumblers, look for Item # 5323719 (Festive Forest), 5323721 (Merry Glow), 5323722 (Let It Snow), 5323723 (Winter Bloom), 5323724 (Merry Magic), 5323725 (Jolly Journey), 5331965 (Heart N Stars), 5331966 (USA), 5331967 (Stars), 5331968 (Flag), 5331969 (Windmill), or 5331974 (Blue Fireworks). The UPC codes for these sizes begin with 843461115513 through 843461121057.
If you have the smaller 16 oz. version, the identification markers are slightly different. Look for Item # 5324497 (Festive Forest), 5324498 (Merry Glow), or 5324499 (Let It Snow). The UPC codes for these items begin with 843461116374 through 843461116398. These tumblers were sold in various festive themes, so the color and design of the cup alone may not be enough to confirm the recall status; the item number and UPC are your most reliable verification tools. If you purchased the tumbler during winter holiday seasons or around the Fourth of July, the likelihood of it being part of this batch is higher.
If you cannot find a label on the tumbler itself, check any original packaging or receipts for these specific item numbers. If your tumbler does not match one of the listed LUUM themes with the corresponding Item # and UPC codes provided above, it is likely not part of this recall. However, if you are unsure or cannot locate the label, err on the side of caution. Stop using the product immediately and keep it out of reach of children while you contact Lifetime Brands for further assistance at 888-561-2269.
- Brand: BUILT
- Collection: LUUM Light Up Tumblers
- Key Identifier: "LUUM" theme name on label or hangtag
- Locations to Check: Underside of the tumbler or attached hangtag
- Critical Data Points: Item # and UPC code (see list above)
What to do — step by step
If you own one of the recalled BUILT LUUM Light Up Tumblers, your immediate priority is to remove the hazard from your home without causing harm. Please stop using these tumblers right away. Do not attempt to fix them yourself, and do not try to replace the battery with a new one, as the casing is designed to break under stress. Instead, treat the tumbler as a potential danger zone. Take the item to an area where children cannot reach it—such as a locked closet, a high shelf out of reach, or even outside your home temporarily—to ensure no child gains access to the compartment containing the LED light and button cell battery.
Once the tumbler is secured away from people, you must address the most critical part of the hazard: the battery. The recalled items contain preinstalled button cell batteries that can become accessible if the plastic breaks. If you are comfortable doing so, carefully remove the battery. Because button cell batteries are hazardous materials, do not simply toss them in your regular household trash where they might be crushed or accessed by others. Instead, dispose of or recycle the battery according to your local hazardous waste procedures. Many hardware stores and electronics retailers have specific drop-off bins for this purpose. If you are unsure how to dispose of it safely, contact your local waste management authority for guidance.
After the battery is safely removed and disposed of, you need to initiate the refund process with Lifetime Brands. The company is offering a full refund for these items, but they have specific instructions on how to complete it. You will need to visit their dedicated recall page at https://www.builtny.com/pages/recall. On this form, you will be asked to throw the piece of the tumbler that contains the LED light into the trash (after the battery is gone) and then upload a photo of that discarded piece as proof of disposal. This step is crucial for verifying your eligibility for the refund.
If you encounter any difficulties with the online form or have questions about the process, Lifetime Brands has set up several ways to help you. You can call their toll-free number at 888-561-2269 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday. Alternatively, you may send an email to Recall@Builtny.com. For additional support, you can also visit www.builtny.com and click on the "Recall" link located at the bottom of the page. Acting quickly ensures your family remains safe and that you receive your refund without unnecessary delay.
Your refund, repair, or replacement options
When a product recall involves a safety hazard like the one affecting Lifetime Brands’ BUILT LUUM Light Up Tumblers, the primary remedy offered is typically a full refund rather than a repair or replacement. This is because the issue here is not a manufacturing defect in the plastic or the LED function itself, but a fundamental design flaw where the battery compartment can break open. Because the danger lies in the accessibility of the internal button cell batteries, simply fixing the light or replacing the tumbler with another unit that has the same vulnerability would not resolve the core safety concern. Therefore, Lifetime Brands is providing consumers with a complete refund for the purchase price of the recalled items.
To receive your refund, you must follow a specific process outlined by the company. You will need to visit their dedicated recall page at https://www.builtny.com/pages/recall. On this site, you will find a Product Recall Refund Form that requires you to upload a photo of yourself disposing of the recalled product. Specifically, Lifetime Brands asks that you throw away the piece of the tumbler that contains the LED light. This step is crucial for their records and ensures that the hazardous component is no longer in circulation within your home or community.
Before you dispose of the item, please take a clear photograph showing the product being thrown into the trash. This photo serves as your proof of compliance with the recall instructions. Once you have uploaded this image via the online form, you should be processed for a full refund. If you encounter any technical difficulties with the website or have questions about the process, you can contact Lifetime Brands directly. Their consumer support team is available toll-free at 888-561-2269, operating from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday. You may also reach them via email at Recall@Builtny.com.
While the financial remedy is straightforward, please remember that the physical disposal of the tumbler requires care. The recalled tumblers contain preinstalled button cell batteries that are hazardous if mishandled. Do not simply toss the entire tumbler into a regular bin without caution. You should remove or isolate the battery component if possible, and dispose of or recycle the batteries by following your local hazardous waste procedures. This ensures that you protect both your household and the environment from potential chemical leaks or accidental ingestion by others while you wait for your refund to be processed.
What can happen if you ignore it
It is easy to look at a cracked tumbler and see nothing more than a minor inconvenience—a broken toy or a ruined drink container. However, when that crack exposes the internal components of a light-up cup, particularly one containing a button cell battery, the consequences can be far more severe than a simple disappointment. The primary danger lies in the deceptive nature of these small power sources. To an adult, a coin-sized battery is just a piece of hardware; to a curious child, it is often an intriguing object that fits perfectly in the palm of a hand and may even look like candy due to its metallic sheen. If you continue to use this tumbler after noticing damage, or if you leave it within reach despite knowing the hazard exists, you are essentially leaving a trap set for someone who does not yet understand the risk.
The most critical issue is that button cell batteries do not cause harm merely by being swallowed; they cause harm through a rapid chemical reaction. Once a battery enters the moist environment of the esophagus or stomach, it completes an electrical circuit against body tissue. This process generates hydroxide, a strong alkali that can burn through tissue in as little as two hours. These are not superficial burns; they are deep internal chemical injuries that can perforate the esophagus, damage major blood vessels like the aorta, and lead to life-threatening hemorrhaging or severe infection. The timeline is often so rapid that symptoms may not appear until significant damage has already occurred, making early detection and removal critical.
While Lifetime Brands has reported one incident where a child accessed the battery and placed it in their mouth, no injuries were reported in that specific case. This is fortunate, but it does not diminish the severity of the risk. One report of access is a clear warning sign that the design flaw is real and exploitable by children. Ignoring the recall implies accepting the possibility that the next interaction might not end without harm. The choking hazard is also immediate; a small battery can block an airway, leading to suffocation before any chemical burning even begins. By keeping the product in your home, you are gambling with the safety of anyone who enters the room.
Beyond the physical trauma, there is the emotional toll on families. A battery ingestion emergency is a medical crisis that often requires immediate hospitalization, endoscopic procedures to remove the battery, and potentially long-term monitoring for tissue damage. These events cause significant stress and anxiety for parents and caregivers who know they could have prevented the situation by simply following the recall instructions. The remedy offered—a full refund—is designed to eliminate this risk entirely. Ignoring it means choosing to keep a potential emergency in your home rather than exchanging it for a safe, refundable alternative. The choice is not just about a cup; it is about prioritizing immediate convenience over the profound safety of your children.
Staying safe: broader tips
While this specific recall highlights the dangers of button cell batteries in novelty items, the underlying safety principle applies to a wide range of household products. The primary lesson here is that convenience should never outweigh caution when children are involved. Small, powerful batteries are not just small objects; they are serious chemical hazards. To prevent similar incidents with other electronics, always keep loose batteries stored in their original packaging or locked containers, out of reach and sight of young children. When purchasing gifts or toys for kids under six, look for the age grading on the label carefully. If a toy has small parts that fit inside a toilet paper roll, it is a choking hazard. Furthermore, inspect any electronic device with a battery compartment to ensure the screws or latches are secure and require a tool to open, making it difficult for little fingers to pry them open.
Another critical step in home safety is establishing a routine of checking for recalls on items you already own. Manufacturers do not always announce every defect publicly, but government agencies like the CPSC maintain databases of known issues. Set aside time each quarter to visit SaferProducts.gov or subscribe to email alerts from your local consumer safety agency. This proactive approach allows you to act before an accident occurs, rather than reacting after a potential hazard has been identified. It is also wise to register your major appliances and electronics with the manufacturer immediately after purchase. This ensures that if a safety issue arises, you will be contacted directly, giving you the earliest possible chance to remedy the problem.
Finally, consider the broader context of home environment safety. For instance, just as we secure batteries in tumblers, we should anchor furniture and televisions to walls to prevent tip-overs, which are a leading cause of injury for children. Similarly, install carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home and test them monthly. These devices save lives by providing early warning of invisible threats. By integrating these general safety habits into your daily routine, you create a layered defense against household accidents, ensuring that your home remains a secure place for everyone to live and play.