Tabletop fire pits can violate federal safety standards.
Consumers Warned: Alcohol-Burning Fire Pits Can Violate Safety Standards, Posing Extreme Risks
Sleek. Modern. Marketed as safe for indoor or outdoor use.
But according to a recent warning from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, certain alcohol-burning tabletop fire pits pose an extreme and often hidden danger—and consumers are being urged to stop using them immediately.
These products violate ASTM safety standard F3363-19 because they require users to pour liquid alcohol fuel into an open container and ignite it in the same location. That design flaw has already been linked to two deaths and at least 60 injuries nationwide since 2019.
Why These Fire Pits Are So Dangerous
Unlike gas or wood-burning fire pits, alcohol-burning models rely on clear, highly flammable liquid fuels such as ethanol or isopropyl alcohol. These fuels ignite quickly, burn extremely hot, and can behave unpredictably.
According to safety officials, these products pose two critical fire risks:
Pool Fires
Flames that spread across spilled or pooled liquid fuel, creating larger, hotter fires that can extend well beyond the intended burn area.
Flame Jetting
A sudden, violent burst of flame that shoots outward when fuel vapors ignite—often when a user believes the fire pit is extinguished and attempts to refill it.
Both hazards can cause catastrophic burns in seconds, leaving little or no time to react.
Recalled and Unsafe Tabletop Fire Pits
While all tabletop fire pits that burn alcohol in an open container have been deemed unsafe, the following products are currently under alert or recall.
FLIKRFIRE Tabletop Fireplaces (Safety Alert)
FLIKRFIRE tabletop fireplaces were sold online between 2018 and 2024 through major retailers, including Amazon, Macy’s, Nordstrom, CB2, and Neiman Marcus, with prices ranging from $35 to $105.
The CPSC reports that flame jetting contributed to the June 2024 death of an elderly couple, who suffered fatal burns when another person attempted to refill a FLIKRFIRE that appeared to be extinguished. At least three additional incidents resulted in third- or fourth-degree burns over large portions of users’ bodies.
Consumers are urged to immediately dispose of this product. Do not donate, resell, or regift it.
Colsen Branded Tabletop Fire Pits (Recalled)
This recall involves Colsen-branded indoor and outdoor tabletop fire pits sold from January 2020 through July 2024 for $40 to $90. The products feature an open concrete reservoir designed to hold burning liquid alcohol and were sold in multiple shapes and sizes, including round, rectangular, and skull-shaped designs.
These fire pits were sold through Colsen’s website and major online retailers such as Amazon, Walmart, Wayfair, and Sharper Image.
Reselling, gifting, or donating a recalled product is a violation of federal law. Consumers should dispose of these fire pits immediately.
Did You Know?
Liquid fuels like ethanol and isopropyl alcohol burn at temperatures exceeding 1,600°F and can cause third-degree burns in less than one second, according to the CPSC.
Burned by an Unsafe Tabletop Fire Pit? Here’s What You Need to Know
Alcohol-burning tabletop fire pits are often marketed as clean-burning and easy to use. What many consumers don’t realize is that these products can remain dangerously hot even when flames are no longer visible.
Because the fuel is clear and vapors can linger, users may believe the fire is out—only for a sudden ignition to occur during refueling or movement. In many reported cases, bystanders were injured despite never touching the fire pit themselves.
Common Injuries Linked to These Products
Reported injuries include:
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Third- and fourth-degree burns
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Burns to the face, hands, arms, and torso
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Permanent scarring or disfigurement
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Injuries requiring skin grafts or extended hospitalization
These are not minor accidents. They are life-altering injuries.
Product Liability and Consumer Safety
Manufacturers have a legal duty to design products that meet established safety standards and to warn consumers of known risks. When a product violates those standards or presents an unreasonable danger, injured consumers may have grounds for a product liability claim.
Depending on the circumstances, responsibility may rest with:
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The manufacturer that designed or produced the fire pit
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Retailers or distributors that sold unsafe products
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Companies that failed to issue adequate warnings or recalls
When recalled products remain in homes or continue to be sold online, the risk of serious injury increases.
What to Do If You’re Injured by a Fire Pit
If you or a loved one suffered burns due to an unsafe or recalled tabletop fire pit, take the situation seriously. Burn injuries can worsen over time and may require long-term care.
Important steps include:
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Seeking immediate medical attention
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Documenting your injuries and the product involved
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Preserving receipts, packaging, or recall notices
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Avoiding discussions with insurance companies before speaking with an attorney
Even if the product has already been recalled, you may still have legal options.
Burned by an Unsafe Tabletop Fire Pit? Call Shaw.
If you were injured by a recalled or unsafe tabletop fire pit, you could be entitled to compensation for:
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Medical bills and burn treatment
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Pain, suffering, and permanent scarring
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Lost wages or future medical care
- And More.
We’ll help you find out for free.
Call Shaw today at 800-862-1260 to learn more about your legal options. No fees. No obligations. Just trusted guidance from a Texas injury law firm that puts clients first.
We look forward to serving you.