CPSC Warns Consumers to Stop Using Houswise Tabletop Fire Pits Immediately Due to Risk of Serious Burn Injury or Death from Flame Jetting and Fire Hazards

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning consumers to stop using Houswise Tabletop Fire Pits immediately because using them can result in uncontrolled pool fires where flames burn across the surface of pooled or spilled alcohol, as well as flame jetting from fuel containers, resulting in serious or fatal burns.

This CPSC consumer alert follows the agency's warning to stop using alcohol or other liquid-burning fire pits that violate voluntary standards and present flame jetting and fire hazards.

The Houswise Tabletop Fire Pits are rectangular, round or square containers that require consumers to pour liquid fuel into the container and then ignite the pooled liquid in the same location it was poured. Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol, ethanol/bioethanol, and similar liquid fuels can burn with flame temperatures over 1,600°F and can cause third degree burns in less than one second. Igniting a pool of alcohol or other liquid fuel in the fire pit's open container can result in an uncontrolled pool fire, which can suddenly produce larger, hotter flames that can spread beyond the fire pit product.

Flame jetting, another hazard, can occur when refilling the fire pit if any flame is present. A small flame in the fire pit can be hard to see and can ignite the vapor inside a fuel container as the fuel is poured, causing an explosion that propels flames and burning liquid onto the consumer or bystanders. CPSC's flame jetting safety video demonstrates the potential force of flame jetting and the long distances flames and burning liquid can travel.

Furmia LLC, the manufacturer of Houswise Tabletop Fire Pits, has not agreed to recall these products or offer a remedy to consumers.

CPSC urges consumers to stop using the tabletop fire pits immediately and dispose of them. Do not sell or give away these hazardous products.

The Houswise Tabletop Fire Pits have rectangular, round, or square bases. The model names are Vesper, Altair, Quad, and Astra. The products were sold in a variety of colors, including marble, black, light gray, and dark gray, and the products were sold with a variety of accessories, including skewers and cheese boards.

Report any incidents involving injury or product defect to CPSC at www.SaferProducts.gov.

CPSC is aware of more than two dozen reports of flame-jetting, fuel leaking outside of the fire pit, and unexpectedly high flames, resulting in seven injuries, including third-degree burns.