Target Recalls Nearly Five Million Threshold Candles Due to Laceration and Burn Hazards; Sold Exclusively at Target

What was recalled

If you enjoy the cozy ambiance that a well-placed candle brings to a room, it is important to pause and check your home inventory carefully. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a significant recall involving nearly five million Threshold brand glass jar candles. This recall affects products sold exclusively at Target stores across the United States. The issue was officially announced on May 18, 2023, but because these items have been widely distributed over time, they may still be sitting in your home right now without you realizing it.

The recalled items are part of Target’s Threshold line, a brand known for its accessible and stylish home decor. Specifically, the recall covers three distinct sizes of glass jar candles: 5.5-ounce single-wick candles, 14-ounce three-wick candles, and 20-ounce three-wick candles. These were not limited to just one type of fragrance; they came in a wide variety of scents designed to appeal to different tastes, ranging from fruit-forward blends like Berry Lemonade and Melon, Coconut Sorbet, and Red Mandarin and Guava, to more woody and earthy notes such as Charcoal and Black Teak, Ashwood and Palo Santo, and Leather and Embers. Other popular seasonal or calming scents included in this recall include Apple Blossom and Breeze, Vanilla Bean and Amber, Warm Cider and Cinnamon, and Ocean Air and Moss.

Distinguishing the recalled candles from those you might still safely use requires attention to detail. The affected products were sold in both clear glass jars and lidded milky white or amber glass jars. Some of the 14-ounce varieties featured unique wood wicks that create a crackling sound when lit, housed in milky white glass with wooden lids and stamped logos. Because the hazard relates to the structural integrity of the glass itself rather than the wax or scent, every unit within these specific product lines is subject to the recall regardless of its fragrance.

To identify if your candle is part of this massive recall, you must look at the bottom of the glass jar. The CPSC and Target have provided a comprehensive list of item numbers that are subject to this action. If your candle’s item number matches any of the following codes, it should be considered unsafe for use: 054-09-1488, 054-09-6393, 054-09-9509, 054-09-9789, 054-09-9837, 054-09-0051, 054-09-0052, 054-09-1217, 054-09-3861, 054-09-5401, 054-09-6099, 054-09-6205, 054-09-8037, 054-09-8523, 054-09-8621, 054-09-8753, 054-09-9473, 054-09-9926, 054-09-0185, 054-09-0458, 054-09-0570, 054-09-2433, 054-09-3560, 054-09-6389, 054-09-7215, 054-09-7216, 054-09-7217, 054-09-7218, 054-09-8292, 054-09-8344, 054-09-8910, 054-09-8964, 054-09-9132, 054-09-9219, 054-09-9441, 054-09-9550, and 054-09-9851. If you have any of these items in your home, please proceed to the next steps for safe disposal and refund.

The hazard, explained

At first glance, a glass candle jar seems like one of the safest items in your home. It is rigid, transparent, and designed to hold heat. However, the recall issued by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) highlights a critical failure point: the structural integrity of the glass itself. Under normal circumstances, glass handles thermal expansion well, but these Threshold candles are reportedly failing during active use. The core issue is that the jar can crack or break entirely while you are enjoying the flame. This is not merely a minor flaw; it is a sudden mechanical failure that transforms a decorative object into a dangerous projectile.

To understand why this happens, we have to look at what goes wrong physically. When a candle burns, it generates significant localized heat. This heat transfers directly into the glass walls of the jar. In many cases, thermal shock occurs when there is an uneven distribution of temperature within the glass. For example, if the wax level drops too low, the flame can heat the upper rim of the jar while the base remains cooler, or if a draft causes the flame to flicker and touch different parts of the glass intermittently. This creates stress fractures that are invisible to the naked eye until they become catastrophic.

When these micro-fractures reach a breaking point, the jar does not just leak; it shatters. The result is an immediate release of hot liquid wax and open flame onto your table, floor, or clothing. This dual-action hazard is what makes this recall so serious. You are simultaneously facing the risk of severe burns from the scalding wax and lacerations from sharp shards of broken glass. The CPSC notes that Target has already received 137 reports of jars breaking or cracking during use, confirming that this is a recurring pattern rather than an isolated incident.

The severity of these injuries cannot be overstated. While minor burns are common with candle mishaps, the data from this specific recall paints a starker picture. Six injuries have been reported to Target, including cases of severe burns and lacerations. A laceration in this context is particularly dangerous because it often occurs when someone instinctively tries to catch a falling jar or move away from the sudden splash of hot wax, only to cut their skin on the jagged edges of the broken glass. The combination of thermal injury and sharp trauma requires immediate medical attention in many cases.

It is also important to note that this hazard affects a wide variety of styles. Whether you own the larger 20-ounce lidded milky glass jars or the smaller 5.5-ounce clear jars, the risk remains the same. The material failure is not limited to one scent or one specific design element like the wooden wick. The fundamental issue lies in the glass composition or manufacturing process used across these batches, meaning that no matter which Threshold candle you have lit recently, it could potentially fail without warning.

Who is most at risk

When we talk about product recalls involving glass jars and open flames, it is easy to assume that the danger is evenly distributed among all users. However, the reality of household safety is more nuanced. The primary group at risk here is anyone who owns or regularly uses Threshold scented candles in their home. Because these items are sold exclusively at Target and have been purchased by nearly five million consumers, the potential pool of affected individuals is vast. You do not need to be a candle expert to be vulnerable; you only need to have brought one of these jars into your living space. The hazard lies in the structural integrity of the glass itself, which can fail unexpectedly during normal use. This means that even careful users who follow standard safety guidelines are not entirely immune from the risk of injury.

Within that broad group of candle owners, certain demographics face a higher degree of vulnerability due to physical factors and environmental interactions. Children, in particular, are at an elevated risk for two distinct reasons. First, they are naturally curious and may be drawn to the warmth or scent of a lit candle, bringing them closer to the heat source than an adult would typically stand. Second, their smaller stature means they are more likely to accidentally bump into furniture where candles might be placed on lower tables or shelves. If a jar were to crack under thermal stress and shatter, a child’s thinner skin is significantly more susceptible to severe lacerations from sharp glass shards. Furthermore, children have less ability to react quickly to sudden changes, such as hot wax splashing or a jar collapsing, which can lead to more serious burn injuries before they can retreat to safety.

Elderly individuals and those with limited mobility also warrant careful consideration in this context. As we age, our skin becomes thinner and loses some of its protective elasticity, making it far more prone to tearing and deep cuts from sharp objects like broken glass. A minor laceration for a younger person might heal quickly, but for an older adult, the risk of infection or complications is higher. Additionally, if a candle jar breaks while being held or moved, the sudden weight shift and hot contents can cause significant burns that take longer to heal in aging tissue. There is also the factor of dexterity; handling a hot glass jar requires steady hands. If a user has tremors, arthritis, or reduced grip strength, the likelihood of dropping the jar or failing to set it down gently increases, thereby raising the probability of both breakage and subsequent injury.

Finally, consider those who live in homes with hard flooring surfaces like tile, stone, or hardwood. If a glass jar cracks and falls from a height as low as a coffee table, the impact against a hard surface can cause it to shatter more violently than it would on a carpeted floor. This increases the scatter radius of hot wax and sharp glass fragments, potentially injuring not just the user but anyone else in the immediate vicinity. The combination of thermal burns from the wax and lacerations from the glass creates a dual-threat scenario that is particularly dangerous for anyone who cannot move quickly away from the hazard zone.

How to tell if you have the recalled item

Identifying whether your candle is part of this specific recall requires a careful look at the physical product itself, as the issue is tied to the integrity of the glass jar rather than the scent or brand name alone. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued this recall on May 18, 2023, covering nearly five million units of Threshold-brand candles sold exclusively at Target stores. Because the affected items span a wide variety of popular scents and sizes, relying solely on the label’s scent description—such as "Apple Blossom," "Coconut Sorbet," or "Charcoal and Black Teak"—is not enough to confirm if your candle is included in this safety notice.

The most reliable way to verify if your candle is part of this recall is to check the item number printed directly on the bottom of the glass jar. You will need to lift the candle and look at the base for a specific alphanumeric code. The recalled items generally fall into three main categories based on their size and construction: 5.5-ounce single-wick candles, 14-ounce three-wick candles (some with wooden lids and stamped logos), and 20-ounce three-wick candles (available in both standard glass and lidded milky glass jars). If you do not see an item number on the bottom, or if the format does not match the codes listed below, your candle is likely not part of this specific recall.

Please compare the item numbers on the bottom of your jar against the following list of recalled codes. This list includes every item number associated with the nearly five million affected candles:

• 5.5oz Glass Jar Candles: 054-09-1488, 054-09-6393, 054-09-9509, 054-09-9789, and 054-09-9837.
• 20oz Jar 3-Wick Candles: 054-09-0051, 054-09-0052, 054-09-1217, 054-09-3861, 054-09-5401, 054-09-6099, 054-09-6205, 054-09-8037, 054-09-8523, 054-09-8621, 054-09-8753, 054-09-9473, and 054-09-9926.
• 14oz 3-Wick Milky White Glass Woodwick Candles with Wood Lid: 054-09-0185, 054-09-0570, 054-09-2433, 054-09-3560, 054-09-8964, and 054-09-9132.
• 14oz Lidded Amber Glass Jar Crackling Wooden 3-Wick Candles: 054-09-0458, 054-09-6389, 054-09-8292, 054-09-8344, 054-09-8910, 054-09-9219, 054-09-9441, 054-09-9550, and 054-09-9851.
• 14oz Lidded Glass Jar Crackling Wooden 3-Wick Candles: 054-09-7215, 054-09-7216, 054-09-7217, and 054-09-7218.

If your candle’s item number matches any of the codes above, it is part of this recall. Even if you are unsure about the item number but suspect the jar has been subjected to extreme heat or thermal shock, it is safer to treat it as potentially compromised. The hazard here is that the glass can crack or break during normal use, which poses a significant risk of laceration from sharp glass shards and burns from hot wax. If you find a matching item number, please stop using the candle immediately.

What to do — step by step

Your refund, repair, or replacement options

If you have one of the recalled Threshold candles in your home, the good news is that the remedy is straightforward and designed to be as convenient as possible for you. Because the hazard involves the structural integrity of the glass jar, there is no way to "fix" the candle safely. The only acceptable resolution is to remove the product from your environment entirely. Target has committed to providing a full refund for all recalled items, regardless of when you purchased them or what condition they are currently in. You do not need to worry about hunting down the original receipt, nor do you need to try to salvage any remaining wax or wicks. The goal here is simply to get your money back and eliminate the risk of injury.

You have two primary ways to process this refund, and you can choose the method that best fits your lifestyle and convenience. The first option is to take the candles directly to any Target store location. This is often the quickest route if you happen to be shopping nearby anyway. When you arrive at the store, head to the customer service desk or the checkout area. Inform the team member that you are returning a product under an official CPSC recall. Hand over the candle(s), and they will process your full refund. Since the recall is nationwide, you can visit any Target store in the United States to complete this transaction.

If you prefer not to leave your home or if there is no Target store within easy driving distance, you can arrange for a prepaid return label via mail. To do this, you need to contact Target directly. You can call their dedicated recall line at 800-440-0680. The customer service representatives are available daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Central Time. During this call, request a prepaid return label. Once you receive the label, simply attach it to your package containing the recalled candles and drop it off at your local post office or shipping center. The shipping cost is covered by Target, so you will not pay anything out of pocket for the return.

Alternatively, you can handle this process entirely online through Target’s digital support channels. Visit Target.com and navigate to the "Recalls" section located at the bottom of the homepage. From there, select "Home Goods" to find specific details about this recall. You may also visit Target’s official Facebook page and click on the "Product Recalls" tab for additional guidance. If you need to initiate a return or get more information digitally, you can use the online help center at https://help.target.com/help/. These digital tools provide clear instructions on how to generate your return label without needing to speak on the phone.

It is important to understand why this remedy is structured this way. The glass jars have been found to crack or break during normal use, which can lead to lacerations from sharp glass shards and severe burns from hot wax. No amount of careful handling can guarantee safety with these specific batches. Therefore, the refund is not just a financial transaction; it is a critical safety step. Please do not attempt to donate these candles to charity or give them to friends and family, as the hazard remains regardless of who holds the jar. By securing your full refund and returning the item, you are ensuring that this dangerous product does not end up in another home where it could cause harm.

What can happen if you ignore it

It is completely understandable why you might hesitate to discard a candle simply because of a recall notice. Perhaps you have already burned several wicks and feel the product has performed well so far. Maybe the scent is your favorite, or you are simply tired of running errands. However, ignoring this specific recall carries tangible, physical risks that go beyond mere inconvenience. The core issue here is not about the quality of the wax or the longevity of the fragrance; it is about the structural integrity of the glass container itself. When a candle jar cracks or breaks during use, you are no longer dealing with a contained flame. You are dealing with hot liquid wax and an exposed fire source that can spill onto surfaces, furniture, or even your skin.

The consequences of continuing to use these Threshold candles can range from minor household messes to serious personal injury. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Target has already received 137 reports of these jars breaking or cracking while in use. These are not theoretical risks; they are documented events involving real people in their homes. More alarmingly, six specific injuries have been reported among those who continued using the product. These injuries include lacerations from sharp glass shards and severe burns from hot wax. It is crucial to recognize that a "crack" is often just the beginning. Thermal stress can cause a seemingly minor hairline fracture to suddenly give way entirely, turning a small crack into a catastrophic break at any moment.

The danger is compounded by the nature of glass jars used in candles. As the wax melts and the heat builds, the glass expands. If the jar has a pre-existing weakness or flaw that allows it to crack under normal conditions, it becomes increasingly unstable as it heats up further. Once the jar fails, the hot wax does not just disappear; it flows. This can lead to fires that spread beyond the original candle holder, potentially damaging your home and causing significant property loss. Furthermore, if you are holding the jar, or if a child or pet is nearby, the risk of direct contact with burning wax or broken glass rises sharply.

Ignoring the recall also means denying yourself the remedy provided by the manufacturer. By keeping the candle, you are essentially gambling that your specific unit will be the one in 137 to remain intact. There is no way to know which jars are structurally sound and which are not without testing them—and testing them means risking injury. The safest path is to accept that the risk outweighs the benefit of keeping a scented candle. The potential for a simple refund or replacement is far preferable to the reality of treating burns or stitches. Do not wait for a crack to appear; act now to ensure your home remains a safe sanctuary.

Staying safe: broader tips

While this specific recall addresses a manufacturing defect in Threshold glass jars, the underlying risks of burns and lacerations from candle-related incidents are universal. Glass containers, regardless of brand or price point, can become structurally compromised over time due to thermal stress—the rapid expansion and contraction of material as it heats up and cools down. To mitigate these risks in your home, start by inspecting your existing glassware before every use. Look closely for any hairline cracks, chips along the rim, or cloudiness that might indicate internal stress fractures. Even a minor flaw can become a failure point when exposed to the intense heat of a flame, so it is always better to err on the side of caution and discard damaged vessels.

Proper candle maintenance is your first line of defense against accidental breakage. Never leave a burning candle unattended, and avoid placing them in drafts where flickering flames can cause uneven heating of the glass. It is also crucial to monitor the wax level; most manufacturers recommend stopping use when about half an inch of wax remains to prevent the container from overheating once the fuel source is depleted. Additionally, ensure that your candles are placed on stable, heat-resistant surfaces away from flammable materials like curtains, books, or pet tails. For households with young children or pets, consider using candle warmers or electric alternatives as a safe way to enjoy fragrance without an open flame.

Beyond candle safety, it is wise to adopt a proactive approach to product recalls for all household items. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and other agencies issue millions of alerts annually for everything from cribs to electronics. Sign up for email notifications on the CPSC website or download their official app to receive real-time updates on dangerous products. Regularly checking the "Recalls" section on retailer websites, such as Target, Amazon, or Walmart, can also help you stay informed about issues with items you may have purchased. Finally, consider installing smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms throughout your home, testing them monthly, and replacing batteries annually. These simple, low-cost measures provide a critical layer of protection against the most common household hazards, ensuring that your home remains a safe sanctuary for everyone.