The national Consumer Product Safety Commission announced today that 500,000 containers of pourable gel fuel have been recalled due to nationwide reports of fire hazards- some of which were nearly fatal. The gel fuel has been utilized in conjunction with popular outdoor fire pots available at most outdoor furniture retailers. Consumers have reported severe burn accidents as a result of sitting near or around the fire pots.
The states reporting the most number of accidents include California, Indiana and Florida. One accident in New York nearly took the life of an 11-year old boy who remains in a coma in a Long Island hospital.
In most of the reported cases, consumers contend that the fire pots suddenly exploded, likening the situation to napalm, and caused severe burns to house guests and family members. The gel fuel tends to stick to clothing making it difficult to suppress the flames once they have landed on one’s clothing. Stop, drop and roll techniques were seemingly ineffective as were depriving the flames of their oxygen source with a blanket.
The manufacturer is located in Duluth, Georgia and operates under the name Napa Home and Garden Inc. It was made aware of 37 reported injuries to consumers and has sold over 400,000 bottles of the ethanol-based gel since 2009. Napa is offering full refunds to consumers who return the product to stores like Bed, Bath & Beyond, ShopKo or Restoration Hardware. Amazon.com and landscape companies also sold the product and are accepting returns as well.
One New York victim has endured 13 surgeries since being burned by the substance prompting state lawmakers to propose a bill banning gel fuels in Suffolk County, New York.
If you have recently been injured by a product such as Napa Home and Garden gel fuels, you may be curious as to your personal injury rights. Injuries caused by consumer products fall under the legal category of “products liability” and such laws are designed to hold corporate manufacturers to a higher standard than consumers in operating in a reasonably prudent manner when designing and exposing consumers to risks.
Enduring an injury like those sustained by victims of this fuel gel can be a life-altering experience. Please do not hesitate to contact our office for a free consultation. We would love to discuss your rights with you. (800)-300-0001.
