Costco Recalls Solar-Powered Patio Umbrellas Because They Can Catch Fire
Costco-exclusive solar-powered patio umbrellas have been recalled in the United States and Canada after reports they can catch fire.
Customers who bought a SunVilla 10-foot Solar LED Market Umbrella at a Costco warehouse or online between December 2020 and May 2022 are urged to "immediately stop" using(Opens in a new window) the canopy and remove its lithium-ion battery pack.
The solar puck, which has a black cover marked with "YEEZE" or "YEEZE 1," should be stored out of the sun, away from combustible material, and not charged with the included AC adapter.
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) received six reports of overheating power units—including three that caught fire while charging indoors, two ignitions while still attached to the fabric umbrella, and one smoke-inhalation injury. SunVilla received one burning umbrella report in Canada(Opens in a new window), but there were no injuries.
Folks can return the faulty product to any Costco Warehouse across North America for a full refund of the original cost: between $130 and $160. Those unable to visit a brick-and-mortar location can contact the big-box retailer for instructions on how to receive compensation. California-based outdoor furniture maker SunVilla and Costco are contacting all known purchasers.
The exact number of units sold remains unclear. According to CPSC, there were some 400,000 in the US, plus about 33,000 in Canada (for a total 433,000); the Canadian government, meanwhile, counted 32,700 affected products locally, with another 222,300 in the United States (equaling 255,000)—a discrepancy of about 178,000 umbrellas.
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