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The
Colsen-branded fire pits, which are designed to hold fires by
burning liquid alcohol, pose a “flame jetting” hazard, according
to a recall notice published Thursday by the U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission. The flame jetting can occur when a
user is refilling the container, if fire flashes back and
propels the burning alcohol.
Alcohol flames can be invisible, and the liquid may also spill
or leak out of the pit during use, causing a flash fire. The
recall notice warns that this can lead to injury quickly and
unexpectedly, potential causing burns "in less than one second
that can be serious and deadly.”
To date, the CPSC says it has received 31 reports of flame
jetting or flames escaping from the fire pits, resulting in 19
burn injuries. Two of those were third-degree burns on more than
40% of the victims' bodies, the commission said, and at least
six incidents involved surgery, prolonged medical treatment,
loss of function or permanent disfigurement.
The CPSC and Miami-based Colsen urge consumers to stop using the
fire pits immediately and throw them away. The commission noted
that it's against the law to resell or donate the now-recalled
products.
But there's also no refunds available. According to the recall
notice, the company “does not have the financial resources to
offer a remedy to consumers” and stopped selling the pits a year
after acquiring the product business.
The about 89,500 fire pits under recall were sold at major
retailers like Amazon.com, Wayfair, Walmart and Sharper Image —
as well as on social media platforms like TikTok and Meta-owned
apps, from January 2020 through July 2024. That includes fire
pits that were previously manufactured by another company,
Thursday's recall announcement notes, although the notice did
not identify that company.
The seven models of the recalled fire pits varied in size, shape
and color. Sale prices ranged from $40 to $90.
In a statement on its website, Colsen said it was launching this
recall with the CPSC because “we take safety very seriously.”
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