Brookstone-branded Tabletop Fire Pits Recall: What To Do

Recall Summary

Recall number 26687
Issued by U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Date 2026-08-13
Company Southern Telecom Inc., of Brooklyn, New York
Units affected 48,700
Severity Not classified

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the Brookstone-branded Tabletop Fire Pits immediately and contact Southern Telecom to receive a full refund. Consumers can email a photo of the fire pit with “Recalled,” their name, and the date written on it in permanent marker to [email protected] and then dispose of the product. Do not sell or give away these hazardous products.

Read the official U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall notice

southern telecom recall notices matter to anyone who has bought a decorative tabletop fire pit in the last few years. On August 13, 2026, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that Southern Telecom Inc., of Brooklyn, New York, is recalling Brookstone-branded Tabletop Fire Pits. About 48,700 units are covered.

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The reason is serious. These small alcohol-burning fire pits can produce uncontrolled pool fires and flame jetting. Two injuries have already been reported, including second-degree and third-degree burns. If one of these is sitting on your patio table, stop using it now.

What the Southern Telecom Recall Covers

The southern telecom recall applies to Brookstone-branded Tabletop Fire Pits distributed by Southern Telecom Inc. These are small decorative fire features designed for tables. They are made with a concrete container that holds liquid fuel. The product is meant for indoor or outdoor ambiance rather than heat or cooking. Many buyers treat them as a decor item, not a fire appliance. That perception is part of why the hazard is so easy to underestimate.

The recall number is 26687, issued by the CPSC. Southern Telecom is the recalling firm and the company consumers must contact for the remedy. The Brookstone name appears on the product as a brand license. However, the brand on the box is not the party handling refunds here. For example, a consumer looking for help should contact Southern Telecom directly rather than a retailer’s brand desk. That detail saves time.

If you are unsure whether your unit is included in the southern telecom recall, check the packaging and any product manual first. Look for the Brookstone branding and the tabletop fire pit description. Typically, recall notices list model numbers, retailers, and sale dates in the official CPSC posting. In most cases, the official notice is the fastest way to confirm a match. Read the full CPSC notice before assuming your unit is safe. When in doubt, treat the unit as recalled and stop using it.

Scope matters here. Nearly 49,000 units is a meaningful population of households. Many of those units may have been given as gifts. As a result, some current owners may never have seen a recall email or receipt. That is a common gap in consumer product safety. Word of mouth does real work in these situations. Tell friends and family who own similar tabletop fire pits.

The Hazard and Reported Injuries

The core danger involves liquid alcohol fuel. When fuel spills or pools, flames can travel across that surface. The CPSC describes this as an uncontrolled pool fire. Flames spread fast and are hard to smother. A second failure mode is flame jetting. That happens when a fuel container ignites and shoots burning liquid outward. Both outcomes can cause serious or fatal burns.

Flame jetting is especially dangerous because it is often invisible until it is too late. Alcohol flames can burn nearly clear in daylight. As a result, a person may think the fire is out and pour more fuel in. That refill can trigger a jet of burning liquid onto skin and clothing. This exact pattern has driven safety warnings about fuel-fed tabletop fire products for years.

Southern Telecom has received two reports of flame jetting and flames escaping from the concrete container. Those reports resulted in two injuries, including second-degree and third-degree burns. Third-degree burns damage full skin thickness and often require specialized care. However, the number of reported incidents is not the same as the number of total incidents. Many product injuries are never reported to a company or an agency.

Recall number 26687
Issuing agency U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Recall date August 13, 2026
Company Southern Telecom Inc., Brooklyn, New York
Product Brookstone-branded Tabletop Fire Pits
Units affected 48,700
Injuries reported Two, including second- and third-degree burns
Severity classification Not classified

What To Do If You Own This Product

Stop using the fire pit immediately. Do not light it again, even once. Do not add fuel, and do not attempt a modification to make it safer. Let any residual fuel evaporate or dispose of it according to local rules. Store the unit away from heat sources and children until you complete the remedy. Safety first, paperwork second.

The remedy is a full refund from Southern Telecom. To claim it, email a photo of the fire pit to [email protected]. The photo must show the word “Recalled,” your name, and the date written on the product in permanent marker. After sending the photo, dispose of the product. In most cases, the marker-and-photo method replaces shipping the item back.

Do not sell or give away these fire pits. That includes yard sales, online marketplaces, donation bins, and hand-me-downs to family. Passing along a recalled product moves the hazard to someone who has no idea it exists. Federal law restricts the resale of recalled consumer products. For example, listing one on a resale app can create real legal exposure for the seller.

Keep records of everything you send. Save the photo you emailed, the email itself, and any reply from the company. Note the date you stopped using the product. If you were injured, keep medical records, photos of the injury, and the receipt if you have one. Documentation protects you later. You can review the full official notice here: CPSC recall notice 26687.

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Does a Southern Telecom Recall Mean You Can Sue?

No. A recall is a safety action, not a lawsuit. The southern telecom recall is a corrective step taken with the CPSC to get a hazardous product out of homes. It is not a court finding. It is not an admission of legal liability. It does not create a claim on its own, and it does not entitle any owner to a payout beyond the refund offered.

A legal claim generally requires more than ownership of a recalled item. Typically, it requires an actual injury or loss. It also requires causation, meaning the product defect caused that harm. In most cases, a lawyer will look at medical records, the product itself, and the timeline of events. Without injury and causation, a recall usually leads to a refund and nothing more.

If you were burned or your property was damaged, you may be eligible to pursue a claim. That is a possibility, not a promise. Deadlines called statutes of limitations apply and vary by state. As a result, waiting can end an otherwise viable case. Speak with a licensed attorney in your state who handles product liability. No article, including this one, is legal advice.

How Recalls Connect to Mass Tort Cases

A recall can become useful evidence in later litigation. It creates a dated public record that a company identified a hazard. It also documents what the company knew and when. However, plaintiffs still must prove their own injuries and causation. The recall is a starting document, not a verdict. Courts treat it as one piece of a larger factual picture.

History shows how this can unfold. The Philips CPAP recall in 2021 involved sound-abatement foam that could degrade, and it was followed by extensive multidistrict litigation. The Takata airbag inflator recalls became one of the largest automotive recall events ever and generated years of claims. Neither outcome was automatic. In each case, the recall drew attention, and separate legal proof did the actual work.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get my refund under the southern telecom recall?

Email a photo of the fire pit to [email protected]. The photo must show “Recalled,” your name, and the date written on the product in permanent marker. Then dispose of the product as instructed.

Has anyone been hurt by these fire pits?

Yes. Southern Telecom received two reports of flame jetting and flames escaping the concrete container. Those reports involved two injuries, including second-degree and third-degree burns.

Can I keep using the fire pit if I am careful?

No. The CPSC advises consumers to stop using the recalled fire pits immediately. Careful use does not remove the pool fire and flame jetting hazards described in the southern telecom recall notice.

Were You Injured by a Recalled Product?

A recall by itself is a safety action, not a legal claim. However, if a recalled product caused a real injury, you may be eligible to pursue compensation. A licensed attorney can review your situation at no upfront cost — most work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless you recover.

Official Sources & Resources

Verify every recall against the issuing agency before acting:

  • U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: official recall database — the record of truth for this notice
  • CPSC: cpsc.gov — household goods, toys, furniture, appliances
  • FDA: fda.gov — food, drugs, and medical devices
  • NHTSA: nhtsa.gov — vehicles, tires, and child car seats
  • USDA FSIS: fsis.usda.gov — meat, poultry, and egg products

Content last reviewed August 2026. This is general educational information, not legal advice. If you notice outdated information, please contact us.

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