PatioGlo Gel Fuel Recall
Real estate agent Sherri Parrish Nance of Carbondale, Illinois, got a lot more “light” than she bargained for when she added PatioGlo gel fuel to the small ceramic firepot she kept on her deck. She says the metal cylinder inside exploded, lighting her on fire. “These things need to be off the market,” she told reporters. They are now.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a gel fuel recall on Napa Home and Garden gel fuel on June 22, 2011, on BirdBrain fuel gel on September 1, 2011, and on Marshall Gardens PatioGlo Bio-fuel Gel on October 11, 2011.
So far, more than 60 incidents of fire hazards have been reported, many of those involving serious burn injuries. Individuals suffering extended hospital stays and skin grafts may want to consider a PatioGlo lawyer for help in winning compensation.
What is PatioGlo Gel Fuel?
PatioGlo is a Marshall Gardens brand of gel fuel, a smokeless, odorless fuel that provides the flame for Marshall Gardens firepots. People use these products to warm and light outdoor patio and lawn areas, with a citronella gel fuel option to ward off insects. The CPSC recalled the PatioGlo Bio-fuel Gel and Citronella PatioGol, warning that the gel fuel can ignite unexpectedly.
Companies selling the fuel like to say it’s “people safe” and “the cleanest and safest fuel you can buy,” but the CPSC, in a public warning, stated that “consumers should be aware of the burning and poisoning hazards that can occur from using illuminated fuels in firepots, tiki torches, and other consumer products.” The fuel consists of more than 90 percent ethyl alcohol, a volatile and highly flammable liquid.
PatioGlo Gel Fuel Burn Hazards
Another consumer, while camping at a sporting event, also experienced an alleged PatioGlo gel fuel burning incident. A father of a young teenage son, he was attempting to light a firepot using PatioGlo gel fuel. While pouring it into the firepot, he says the center ignited and shot out a ball of flame, setting his son on fire. The boy had 3rd-degree burns over nearly a third of his body and has had to receive multiple skin grafts.
The CPSC points out that consumers should never refuel a hot product as this can cause a burning hazard, and certainly should never add fuel to an open flame. Both of these cases, however, involve incidents where the consumers claim this wasn’t the case. Sherri Parrish Nance says her firepot exploded within 10 minutes of lighting it, while she was sitting on her love seat—not while she was adding fuel. And the father said he was “trying to light” the firepot.
The CPSC also warns consumers to be cautious, as sometimes the flame of the gel fuel is hard to see. They recommend users look for flames, then feel around the vicinity of the flame to be sure the product is cool.
Gel Fuel Recall
In response to the many reported incidents, the CPSC, in cooperation with fuel gel manufacturers and distributors recalled pourable gel fuel because of the fire dangers. The recall affects 2 million bottles and jugs of the fuel, which are sold at home and garden stores nationwide.
In addition to the PatioGlo and Napa fuel gel recalls, on September 1, 2011, the CPSC issued a press release regarding a recall on the pourable gel fuel manufactured by the following nine manufacturers:
- Bird Brain Inc.;
- Bond Manufacturing;
- Sunjel Company;
- Fuel Barons Inc.;
- Lamplight Farms Inc.;
- Luminosities Inc.;
- Pacific Décor Ltd.;
- Real Flame; and
- Smart Solar Inc.
Additionally, on October 11, 2011 the Marshall Group recalled Marshall Gardens Patio Bio-fuel Gel, and Fireside Gel Fuel Bottles — manufactured by 2 Burn Inc. and distributed by Evergreen Enterprises — were recalled on October 25, 2011.
Anyone still in possession of a Bird Brain firepot or PatioGlo firepot, or firepot manufactured by any of the above manufacturers should immediately stop using the fuel gel and firepots and seek a refund from the retailer where they were purchased. If you have suffered a pourable gel fuel recall injury, you should contact an exploding firepot lawyer at Chaffin Luhana today.
A PatioGlo Lawyer May be Able to Help
Napa Home and Garden already faces gel fuel lawsuits in South Carolina, over alleged burning incidents such as those mentioned here. Both allege serious injuries due to negligent design, manufacturing, and testing, and say the product failed to provide adequate consumer warnings of the dangers. If you have been a victim of a PatioGlo gel fuel burning incident, a PatioGlo lawyer can help you determine your potential in a PatioGlo lawsuit. Contact Chaffin Luhana LLP today for a confidential case evaluation at 1-888-480-1123.