Celebrating a birthday should be joyful, filled with laughter, cake, and the delightful traditions that make the day special.
One such tradition is the ceremonial blowing of birthday candles, a moment that can be made even more magical with novelty candles designed to dazzle and delight. However, some novelty candles have raised serious safety concerns, casting a shadow over these celebrations.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued an urgent recall for this popular birthday candle, which Discount Packaging Warehouse sold in various colours.
The product was available on the market from 1 March 2024 to 11 April 2025, and many Australians purchased it during this time to add a spark to their birthday festivities.
The candle, known for its lotus shape and the way it blooms with multiple lit flames, has been identified as a potential hazard.
The ACCC’s safety fears stem from the product’s non-compliance with button battery safety standards.
The recall statement highlighted a worrying issue: ‘The button/coin batteries may not be adequately secured and may be accessible by young children.’
This poses a grave risk, as the inadequately secured button batteries could lead to choking, severe internal burns, or even death if ingested or inserted into the body by young children.
The ACCC has starkly noted that ‘severe or fatal injuries can happen in two hours or less.’
Moreover, the ACCC has raised concerns about the risk of serious injury, death, or property damage if the candle holder catches fire.
This has led to the possibility that the Blossom lotus flower birthday cake candle and other combustible candle holders that ignite when exposed to a burning candle could face a permanent ban in Australia.
In light of these concerns, the ACCC has strongly urged consumers who have purchased the candles to cease using them immediately and to ensure they are kept out of reach of children.
It is recommended that the product be safely destroyed and disposed of. Discount Packaging Warehouse is offering refunds to those impacted by the recall. You can contact them to arrange this by emailing [email protected] or calling 02 8006 2977 between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM, Monday to Friday.
Has this recall made you reconsider the novelty items you purchase for celebrations? Have you ever encountered products where the safety of small batteries seemed inadequately addressed? Share your experiences and insights in the comments below to help our community stay safe.
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