Nearly 90,000 fire pits have been recalled by Colsen after multiple reports of severe injuries and safety concerns.
The Miami-based company took action when numerous consumers suffered third-degree burns due to flame jetting and uncontrolled fire outbreaks from their products, Mail Online reported.
Another incident highlighted the risks posed by these fire pits when a 5-inch model burned Tommy Dalton from Toronto. His daughter, Jess Dalton, reported that although they quickly extinguished the flames, Tommy still sustained burns covering 6-8 percent of his body, primarily on his leg and stomach.
One of the victims, Kayla Hominski, experienced devastating injuries from one of the products, resulting in burns over 40 percent of her body. She ultimately spent four weeks in a coma due to the severity of her injuries.
Elizabeth Rogers, a friend of Kayla, remarked on the tragedy stating, "Our beautiful, fierce, incredible friend was in a horrible fire-related accident resulting in burns on over half her body."
Another incident highlighted the risks posed by these fire pits when a 5-inch model burned Tommy Dalton from Toronto. His daughter, Jess Dalton, reported that although they quickly extinguished the flames, Tommy still sustained burns covering 6-8 percent of his body, primarily on his leg and stomach.
Jacklyn Post, another affected individual, reported a terrifying situation where a Colsen appliance exploded, leading to injuries for her son. This has prompted her to ardently demand, "These need to be removed from the site immediately." These incidents have led to several federal lawsuits filed against Colsen for the severe injuries caused by their products.
Colsen’s products, sold by major vendors such as Amazon, Wayfair, and Walmart, have been criticized in customer reviews for their hazard potential. Phrases like "super dangerous" and "Dangerous product! Can over-ignite at any time" are common in the feedback compiled from these monumental platforms.
Amidst the backlash and the recall, Colsen released a statement affirming their commitment to consumer safety. They stated, "At Colsen, we take safety very seriously," as they announced the recall.
This comes as a small consolation to those who have suffered from the products, especially considering that the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has noted that refunds are not available for the recalled items due to Colsen's reported lack of financial resources to provide a remedy.
Retailers sold the recalled fire pits for prices ranging from $40 to $90, bringing these items into many homes across the U.S. and Canada. This widespread distribution increased the impact of the defects, which led to the extensive nature of the recall and the subsequent federal lawsuits that followed.
As the case develops and more consumers come forward, they might demand further action from Colsen. For now, authorities advise consumers to stop using all Colsen-branded fire pits immediately and to monitor the situation for updates on potential compensation through ongoing lawsuits.
Additionally, Colsen and its distributors may need to implement more comprehensive measures to mitigate any future risks and restore consumer confidence in their products.
