Whether you’re fully embracing Christmas in July or waiting until December to celebrate—there’s one task everyone needs to add to their to-do list ASAP: Check your tree.
Willis Electric recently announced a recall of artificial Christmas trees in the U.S. and Canada due to a potential fire hazard. Here’s what you need to know.
What products are recalled?
The recall affects artificial pine trees with a foot-pedal controller, exclusively sold at The Home Depot between June and December of 2019. The trees were sold under the brand “Home Accents Holiday” for between $80 and $360, and the recall affects both 7.5- and 9-foot models.
How do I know if I have one of the recalled trees?
First, narrow down the age of your tree and where you bought it. This recall only affects select artificial trees sold last year at The Home Depot.
If that criteria applies to you, check your tree’s adapter cord for the Model Number and SKU Number. The U.S. recall includes the following combinations:
- Model Number: W14N0127, SKU Number: 1004391988
- Model Number: W14N0127, SKU Number: 1004147107
- Model Number: W14N0157, SKU Number: 1004363928
- Model Number: W14N0157, SKU Number: 1004213736
- Model Number: W14N0126, SKU Number: 1004363929
- Model Number: W14N0126, SKU Number: 1004213737
- Model Number: W14N0149, SKU Number: 1004213744
- Model Number: W14N0148, SKU Number: 1004213742
To date, over 500 reports have been received about the foot-pedal controller overheating or burning the user. Ouch!
I have one of these trees! What should I do with it?
The trees’ manufacturer, Willis Electric, asks consumers affected by the recall to “immediately stop using the foot-pedal controller, dispose of it and contact Willis Electric for free replacement foot pedal controller.” You can either fill out this replacement request form, or contact the brand at 866-210-5958.
Now that that’s taken care of, check out the surprising reason you should put up your holiday decorations early.
Up Next: Our Favorite Cookies for Christmas in July
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Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies
Baking peanut butter kiss cookies to share doesn't get much easier than this. Stir together four ingredients. Bake. Top with a kiss. Done! Your family will love this Hershey's peanut butter blossom cookie recipe. —Dee Davis, Sun City, Arizona
Festive Meringue Christmas Trees
These meringues are eye-catching on the dessert table at a holiday party, and they taste heavenly! Look no further for the perfect treat to get you into the Christmas spirit. —Jenni Sharp, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Peppermint Cream Sandwich Cookies
My mother and I made these crisp chocolate peppermint sandwich cookies together. They are a perfect addition to any party. —Donna Williamson, Round Rock, Texas
Grandma's Scottish Shortbread
My Scottish grandmother was renowned for her baking, and one of the highlights whenever we visited my grandparents was her bringing out the baking tin. Her shortbread cookies were my favorite, and now, whenever I make them, I remember her. This is not a thin, crispy dessert shortbread; it’s a deep bar that is best served with a cup of tea. —Jane Kelly, Wayland, Massachusetts
Cherry Christmas Slices
Brilliant red and green candied cherries add extra sparkle to these delicious holiday delights. What I really like best is that this recipe's easy to mix up ahead of time. In fact, I've often made the dough in November and kept it in the freezer until I needed it in December! —Katie Koziolek, Hartland, Minnesota
Gingerbread Teddy Bears
These cookies have been a Christmas tradition in my family since I was a little girl. The big bears are so soft and chewy that we can hardly wait until they come out of the oven!—Elizabeth Manzanares, Gloucester, Virginia
Dipped Cherry Cookies
Our seven children and four grandkids voted this festive, flavorful cookie a “keeper.” We gave a batch to our mail carrier, in thanks for trudging through so much snow, and she asked for the recipe. —Ruth Anne Dale, Titusville, Pennsylvania
Jelly Sandwich Cookies
To create the stained glass effect of these cookies, I sandwich jelly between two layers of basic dough. Your favorite raisin filling is excellent here, too. —Gloria McBride, Payson, Utah
Sweet and Salty Chocolate Reindeer
You can enlist little hands to help position the antlers, eyes and noses on these adorable, crisp reindeer cookies. —Pat Habiger, Spearville, Kansas
White Chocolate Raspberry Thumbprints
When I pass around the cookie tray, all eyes land on these fancy thumbprints. The white chocolate filling and dab of jewel-toned jam will satisfy even the most discriminating sweet tooth. —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario
Snowmen Butter Cookies
They're buttery sweets that birthday guests of any age will make disappear fast...thanks to the melt-in-your-mouth cookie recipe Suzanne shared.
Secret Kiss Cookies
Here's a recipe that's literally sealed with a "kiss." This cookie's bound to tickle any sweet tooth. —Karen Owen, Rising Sun, Indiana
Chipotle Crackle Cookies
I usually bake these special cookies for the holidays, but my family loves them so I bake them for their birthdays. The addition of ground chipotle chili pepper gives these cookies a little zing. The dough may be sticky so I dip my hands in confectioners' sugar for easier handling. —Gloria Bradley, Naperville, Illinois
Linzer Cookies
This specialty cookie takes a little extra effort, but the results are sweet! They really help to make the holidays feel special. —Jane Pearcy, Verona, Wisconsin
Whipped Shortbread
These whipped shortbread Christmas cookies melt in your mouth. Mostly I make them for the holidays, but I'll also prepare them year-round for wedding showers and afternoon teas. —Jane Ficiur, Bow Island, Alberta
Russian Tea Cakes
I like to present my favorite holiday cookies in a special way. I pile these fresh-baked tea cakes on pretty plates that I buy throughout the year, then wrap them with colored cellophane to give friends. —Valerie Hudson, Mason City, Iowa
Cinnamon Roll Macarons
These macarons are a winter/fall staple for me—inspired by the classic cinnamon roll, they are a delicious treat for a cold or snowy day. These pair well with a mug of tea, and can be eaten as a dessert or just a snack. Try custard, mousse, ganache, or any other buttercream as fillings, too. —Elizabeth Ding, El Cerrito, California
Austrian Nut Cookies
These are my family's favorite Christmas cookies. If you arrange the slivered almonds in pinwheel fashion, the cookie looks like a poinsettia. —Marianne Weber, South Beach, Oregon
JoJo's Ginger Cookies
It's so much fun to decorate cookies with children's help. We created gingery moose-shaped cookies to go with a book made especially for my niece's third-grade class. The crispy golden brown cookies stole the show.—Jenet Cattar, Neptune Beach, Florida
Vermont Maple Cookies
I created this recipe after tasting maple cookies with a maple glaze at a bakery in Stowe, Vermont, some years ago. I get many requests to bring them for bake sales, parties and ski trips. —Delores Day, Wolcott, Vermont
Mango Fudge Refrigerator Ribbon Cookies
I’ve always thought that a ribbon cookie is especially nice. Although it’s a single cookie, it really seems like two or three different cookies because of its lovely layers of flavor. These refrigerated ribbon cookies have a rich chocolate layer balanced by a bright, orange-mango layer—a very special combination. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
Chocolate Mint Creams
This recipe came from an old family friend and is always high on everyone's cookie request list. I make at least six batches for Noel nibbling and give some away as gifts. —Beverly Fehner, Gladstone, Missouri
Gnome Cookies
Everywhere we went on our trip through Copenhagen, these sprightly, festive folks greeted us. Baking up our simple cookie version helps make our warm memories even cozier. —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
Holly Wreaths
I've never come across another spritz cookie like this - one calling for cream cheese as an ingredient. That helps to keep these wreaths moist a long time, while also adding a delicious flavor. —Dee Lein, Longmont, Colorado
Reindeer Tracks
This is the first cookie recipe I’ve ever created! It captures the essence of the holidays because there’s a trace of eggnog flavor in these adorable reindeer hoof prints. You can add red and green frosting to make them even more Christmasy or use brown sprinkles for a more natural reindeer look. —Pam Sano, Voorhees, New Jersey
Pretzel Polar Bears
Stick these cool cuties in a mug of hot chocolate or show them off on a holiday cookie tray. Covered in white chocolate and coconut, they’re almost too adorable to eat. Almost. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Gingerbread Cookies with Lemon Frosting
When I spread these spicy gingerbread rounds with my lemony cream cheese frosting, I knew I had a hit. Cardamom and allspice add a hint of chai tea flavor. —Aysha Schurman, Ammon, Idaho
Harveys Coconut Macaroons
As the executive chef at Harveys, a resort hotel in Lake Tahoe, I modified this classic recipe, which originated a century ago at a renowned pastry shop in Vienna, Austria.
Cherry No-Bake Cookies
I've always loved my no-bake cookie recipe, but I was never able to place at the fair with it. So I mixed in some maraschino cherries, added a few drops of almond extract, and voila! We won a blue ribbon at the county fair in 2010. —Denise Wheeler, Newaygo, Michigan
Chocolate Almond Pizzelles
If you love fun baking gadgets, you'll enjoy making these crispy, almond-flavored cookies, which get their unique waffle design from a pizzelle maker. They bake up golden brown in only a few minutes. Feel free to double the chocolate drizzle if you'd like to cover the cookies more generously. —Hannah Riley, Norwalk, Ohio
Cashew Cookies
Some merry dairy snacking is guaranteed when you pass out these cashew-packed goodies! I found the recipe years ago in a flier promoting dairy products. It's been this farm wife's standby ever since. —June Lindquist, Hammond, Wisconsin
Old-Fashioned Gingersnaps
I discovered this recipe many years ago, and it's been a favorite among our family and friends since. Who doesn't like cookies during the holidays? —Francis Stoops, Stoneboro, Pennsylvania
Never-Fail Cutout Cookies
I have tried numerous recipes for cutout cookies over the years—this one is foolproof. My daughter and my granddaughter love making these for holidays and social events. Most of all, we enjoy decorating them. You can try almond flavoring or another flavoring of choice. This recipe is easily doubled. —Irene Palm, Mansfield, Ohio
Cherry Cheese Windmills
These pretty cookies look fancy, but they are really not much work. They're perfect for any occasion. —Helen McGibbon, Downers Grove, Illinois
Peanut Butter Penguins
Could these be any more adorable? To treat your guests to this chocolaty, peanut buttery goodness, just cover Nutter Butter cookies with chocolate and decorate! They’re a lot of fun to make and even more fun to eat. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Chocolate-Dipped Orange Cookies
These tender cookies are pretty to look at—and the combination of cream cheese, orange, chocolate and almonds makes them almost irresistible. —Linda Call, Falun, Kansas
Striped Icebox Cookies
I've been using this recipe ever since I was a little girl. I like it because it's easier than making cutout cookies. You can easily mix-and-match your favorite ingredients to create different looks. —Patricia Reese, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
Snickerdoodles
The history of this whimsically named treat is widely disputed, but the popularity of this classic cinnamon-sugar-coated cookie is undeniable! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Chocolate Mint Dreams
Since chocolate and mint is my favorite flavor combination, these dainty frosted treats are hard to resist. But I manage to save some for guests, because they make my cookie trays look so elegant. —Anne Revers, Omaha, Nebraska
Red Velvet Whoopie Pies
Everyone gets a kick out of this fun take on the popular red velvet cake. Take a shortcut and use packaged cream cheese frosting for the filling. —Judi Dexheimer, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
Peanut Butter Pie Cookies
I love the combination of chocolate and peanut butter, but my favorite—peanut butter pie—is tough to eat on the go. I dreamed up these cookies to get my favorite flavor combo in a bite-size package. They can be made ahead and taken to any holiday gathering. —Ashley Moyna, Elkader, Iowa
Citrus Gingerbread Cookies
Orange and lemon zest give gingerbread cutouts a refreshing twist. Brushing a honey glaze over the top adds a subtle shine and an extra touch of sweetness. —Monique Hooker, DeSoto, Wisconsin
Easy Cinnamon Thins
When a co-worker’s husband came home from Iraq, we had a potluck for him. These cookies with coarse red sugar matched our patriotic theme. —Janet Whittington, Heath, Ohio
Stacked Snowman Cookies
Though they hold their cute snowman shape well, these cookies are still nice and soft. Kids love the design and everyone loves the chocolate flavor packed into the cookie. —Evangeline Bradford, Erlanger, Kentucky
Caramel Whiskey Cookies
A bit of yogurt replaces part of the butter in the traditional cookie, but you would never know. I get a lot of requests for these and can’t make a cookie tray without them. —Priscilla Yee, Concord, California
Cinnamon Twirl Cookies
These rolled cookies are tasty and fun to make with your family. The sugary mixture of walnuts and cinnamon is a light, sweet filling that will leave everyone wanting another bite. —Phyllis Cappuccio, Malden, Massachusetts
Cherry Pinwheel Cookies
A crisp, light textured cookie with a mild cherry flavor will add great color to your holiday cookie tray.—Jenn Reagan, Maple Valley, Washington
Hot Chocolate Cookies
Using hot chocolate mix and marshmallow bits in the cookie dough really makes these cookies taste like hot cocoa. —Lisa Kaminski, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Chocolate Peanut Butter Grahams
Because so many people seem to love the combination of chocolate and peanut butter, I came up with this no-bake cookie recipe.—Geraldine Sliwa, Elgin, Illinois
Cinnamon Star Cutouts
These cookies fill your home with an irresistible aroma as they bake. My grandmother made them every Christmas when I was a child. I have fond memories of helping her in the kitchen. —Jean Jones, Peachtree City, GeorgiaThe post More Than 100,000 Artificial Christmas Trees Are Being Recalled appeared first on Taste of Home.
Katie Bandurski