Injured by a tabletop fire pit? Contact us today.
What’s marketed as “cozy ambiance” can turn catastrophic without warning. Certain tabletop fire pits that use liquid alcohol fuel have been linked to explosive flame jetting—sending fire outward and causing severe burns, permanent scarring, and even wrongful death.
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What’s driving the concern
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has warned consumers to stop using alcohol or other liquid-burning fire pits that can produce “flame jetting” (a sudden, forceful burst of flame) and rapid-fire spread; the agency notes two deaths and dozens of serious burn injuries reported since 2019.
CPSC has also issued specific actions tied to this category, including the Colsen tabletop fire pit recall after reports of flame jetting and burn injuries.
Why these products can “explode” or flare unexpectedly
In Common hazard patterns reported with alcohol-fueled tabletop units include:
- Hard-to-see flames in bright environments, leading people to add more fuel while it’s still lit.
- Flashback / flame jetting during or after refueling (flames can travel back to the fuel source).
- Fuel splashing/spreading beyond the burn chamber.
Quick safety checklist
If it’s an alcohol/liquid-fueled tabletop fire pit:
- Don’t use it, especially if the design involves pouring liquid fuel into an open bowl and igniting it there.
- Don’t refuel any fire feature unless it’s fully extinguished and cool.
- Keep away from: kids/pets, low ceilings, décor, loose clothing, and crowded tables.
If you still want a tabletop flame vibe, consider designs that don’t burn pooled liquid fuel (e.g., wood pellets/wood, or sealed-canister systems) and follow manufacturer instructions.
If someone was burned
Get medical care first, then document injuries (photos), keep the product/fuel/packaging, and write down what happened while it’s fresh.
Product-liability cases often focus on design defects, inadequate warnings, and failure to meet safety standards, especially where flame jetting or refueling hazards are foreseeable.
