Tabletop fire pits, the small decorative bowls and containers designed for indoor ambiance — have killed people and caused dozens of severe burn injuries. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a sweeping consumer alert urging Americans to immediately stop using any tabletop fire pit that requires users to pour isopropyl alcohol, ethanol, bioethanol, or other liquid fuel into an open container and ignite it in the same location. These products violate voluntary safety standard ASTM F3363-19 and are linked to at least two deaths and more than 60 serious burn injuries since 2019.
Why These Products Are So Dangerous
Isopropyl alcohol, ethanol, and similar liquid fuels burn at temperatures over 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit and can cause third-degree burns in less than one second. When poured into an open bowl and ignited, these fuels create an uncontrollable pool fire — flames burn across the surface of pooled or spilled fuel with no predictable boundary, and can suddenly produce much larger, hotter flames that spread far beyond the fire pit.
A second and even more dangerous hazard is flame jetting: when a fire pit appears extinguished but a small, nearly invisible flame remains, pouring more fuel into the container causes the vapor inside the fuel container to ignite explosively — propelling burning liquid and flames onto the person refilling the pit and everyone nearby. This flame jetting hazard is what caused the June 2024 deaths of an elderly couple who were severely burned when a third person attempted to refill a FLIKRFIRE tabletop fireplace that appeared to be extinguished.
Products CPSC Says to Stop Using Immediately
CPSC has issued urgent safety warnings against multiple tabletop fire pit brands, including:
- FLIKRFIRE Tabletop Fireplaces — two deaths and multiple incidents of third- and fourth-degree burns; sold at Amazon, CB2, Nordstrom, Macy’s, and other retailers from 2018 through 2024
- Rozato Tabletop Fire Pits (rectangular and round models) — one death and multiple burn injuries reported
- Houswise Tabletop Fire Pits — reports of flame jetting, fuel leaking, and unexpectedly high flames resulting in at least seven injuries including third-degree burns
- Northlight Bio Ethanol Portable Tabletop Fireplaces — same flame jetting and pool fire hazards; sold at major retailers
- Colsen-branded tabletop fire pits — approximately 89,500 units recalled in October 2024
What You Should Do
- Immediately stop using any tabletop fire pit that requires you to pour liquid fuel into an open container and ignite it there.
- Dispose of these products — do not sell or give them away.
- Do not attempt to use these products even if they appear safe or came with safety instructions.
To report a dangerous tabletop fire pit or a product-related injury, visit SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC’s Hotline at 800-638-2772.
