Update to Gel Fuel Advisory

Starting date:

September 2, 2011

Posting date:

September 2, 2011

Type of communication:

Advisory

Subcategory:

Household Items, Specialized Products

Source of recall:

Health Canada

Issue:

Product Safety, Physical Hazard

Audience:

General Public

Identification number:

RA-110004537

• Issue
• Products affected
• What you should do
• Who is affected
• Report health or safety concerns
• Related AWRs
• Media enquiries
• Public enquiries
• What Health Canada is doing
• Images

Health Canada is reminding consumers about the potential risk associated with the use of gel fuels and fire pots.

Issue

Pourable gel fuels can ignite unexpectedly and splatter onto people and objects nearby when they are poured into a firepot that is still burning or still hot. Gel fuels that splatter and ignite can pose fire and burn risks to consumers.

On September 1, 2011, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a press release announcing a voluntary recall of all pourable gel fuels made or sold by nine different companies.

Products affected

All gel fuels recalled in Canada can be found on the Healthy Canadians website.

What you should do

• Consumers should read all labels on fuel reservoirs and fuel bottles and be aware of the hazards posed by gel fuels.
• Any product containing liquid or gel fuels should be kept out of reach of young children and locked out of sight when not in use.
• Never burn firepots on or near anything that can catch fire. Always completely extinguish firepot flame and never leave unattended. Never add gel fuel to an open fire or flame. Be certain that the flame is out by allowing the product to cool completely before refilling. Keep gel fuels away from any flame, pilot light, or other object that can create a spark.

Who is affected

Consumers who have purchased pourable gel fuels for firepots are affected. These products may pose flammability and burn hazards to both children and adults.

Report health or safety concerns

• Internet: www.health.gc.ca/reportaproduct
• Phone: 1-866-662-0666 (calls will automatically be routed to nearest regional office)
• Mail: Incident Report – Consumer Product Safety Directorate
  Health Canada
  123 Slater Street
  Ottawa, ON, Canada, K1A 0K9

Related AWRs

Media enquiries

Health Canada
613-957-2983

Public enquiries

613-957-2991
1-866-225-0709

What Health Canada is doing

Health Canada is warning consumers that pourable gel fuel can ignite unexpectedly and splatter onto people and objects nearby when it is poured into a firepot that is still burning. The Department is monitoring the voluntary recall of one brand of gel fuel used in firepots and is investigating whether any of the nine companies identified in the CPSC news release have distributed gel fuel in Canada. Health Canada will take appropriate action should any additional products be identified as posing a risk to consumers.

Images

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