Wrong firepit fuels can lead to ‘flame jetting,’ Health Canada warns

After two people were severely burned, Health Canada is warning people not to use rubbing alcohol in tabletop firepits.

In a release Thursday, Canada’s national health body says people should not use the alcohol products, like isopropyl alcohol or ethanol (ethyl alcohol) that are usually sold to clean wounds, in the ornamental flame fixtures, also known as firepots – even if the instruction suggest it.

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Using those fuels “is a dangerous practice that can lead to serious fire and burn risks,” the release states.

Health Canada says the danger comes from rubbing alcohol containers typically not having a flame arrestor, a device built into the opening of the container that looks like a screen.

Flame arrestors lower the chance of “flame jetting,” which is when “a fireball bursts from a container of fuel” after a flammable liquid is poured without an arrestor into a firepot.

“The resulting flame jet poses a serious fire and burn risk to the user and anyone nearby,” Health Canada said.

The agency is advising consumers to only use fuel containers with flame arrestors or to use non-refillable fuel gels.