Wood Burning Fireplaces, Factory Built
Twenty years of CPSC NEISS emergency-room records for this consumer product category, combined with demographic breakdowns, multi-year injury trends, and matching recall notices.
Kitchen Small Appliances & Housewares · CPSC Code 316
Down 50% over 5 years
The verdict
Wood Burning Fireplaces, Factory Built carry a danger score of 33/100 (low risk), driven by roughly 215 ER-treated injuries a year that are declining by about 50% over the last five years.
- 33/100
- danger score (low risk)
- 215
- ER visits per year (avg)
- 16.9%
- end in hospital admission
- 45-54
- most-injured age group
Every figure is rendered from the CPSC NEISS record for product code 316 - last data year 2024.
PlainSafety danger score
How this 33/100 score is built
The score is computed from four CPSC-derived factors for wood burning fireplaces, factory built - no opinion, no editorializing:
- Injury volume215 ER visits/yr
- Severity (hospitalization rate)16.9%
- Fatality rate0.18%
- 5-year trend-50%
See the full methodology for the exact weighting of each factor.
What the CPSC Data Shows
Wood Burning Fireplaces, Factory Built (CPSC product code 316, in the Kitchen Small Appliances & Housewares category) generate an estimated 215 emergency-room visits every year in the United States, adding up to roughly 4,300 ER-treated injuries across the 20-year span from 2005 to 2024. PlainSafety derives a danger score of 33/100 for this category (low risk), combining raw injury volume, demographic reach, severity of outcome, and multi-year trend. The five-year trajectory shows that injury counts are declining by about 50% over the last five years, with the busiest year on record being 2013 (473 estimated ER visits) and the quietest 2020 (16 estimated visits).
The single most common ER diagnosis for wood burning fireplaces, factory built is anoxia to the all parts body, accounting for approximately 503 visits across the 20-year NEISS window, followed by burns, thermal to the hand (464 cases). The 45-54 age group absorbs the largest share of injuries, about 881 cases over the NEISS window, and females appear slightly more often than the opposite sex in that cohort. Severity outcomes from the NEISS disposition field show that 16.9% of ER visits involving this product end in hospital admission or transfer, and a small fraction (0.18%) result in fatality.
Beyond the hospital-sampled NEISS projections, this page also aggregates 17 consumer incident reports filed directly on SaferProducts.gov, plus 20 anonymized ER narratives - together forming a layered picture of how wood burning fireplaces, factory built fail in real households. Every figure on this page comes from CPSC-published data: NEISS projects national estimates from a probability sample of about 100 U.S. hospital emergency departments, while SaferProducts.gov collects voluntary reports from consumers, manufacturers, and clinicians. The danger score, trend indicators, and demographic breakdowns update automatically when CPSC releases a new yearly NEISS file, which is why this page is dated 2024-12-31. For regulatory context, consult CPSC recall notices and the SaferProducts.gov public database linked below.
Annual Injury Estimates (2005–2024)
Source: CPSC NEISS national estimates CPSC NEISS national estimates Injuries represent ER-treated cases only
Who Gets Injured?
| Age Group | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-4 | 397 | 143 | |
| 5-14 | 297 | 86 | |
| 15-24 | 203 | 134 | |
| 25-34 | 205 | 232 | |
| 35-44 | 227 | 304 | |
| 45-54 | 390 | 491 | |
| 55-64 | 79 | 126 | |
| 65-74 | 240 | 154 | |
| 75+ | 380 | 209 |
Most Common Injuries
| Body Part | Diagnosis | Est. Injuries |
|---|---|---|
| All Parts Body | Anoxia | |
| Hand | Burns, Thermal | |
| Head | Internal Injury | |
| Lower Trunk | Other | |
| Face | Burns, Thermal | |
| Lower Arm | Burns, Thermal | |
| Eyeball | Contusions, Abr. | |
| Lower Leg | Burns, Thermal | |
| Face | Fracture | |
| Finger | Burns, Thermal | |
| Face | Laceration | |
| Upper Trunk | Contusions, Abr. | |
| Lower Trunk | Strain, Sprain | |
| Lower Trunk | Fracture | |
| All Parts Body | Other |
Severity Breakdown
ER Visit Narratives
Real anonymized emergency room reports from the CPSC NEISS database.
91YOM PRESENTS TO ED WITH AN EYE PROBLEM. PT STATES HE WAS EATING AND FELT SOMETHING GO IN HIS EYE. PT UNSURE IF IT WAS A PIECE OF FOOD OR AN EMBER FROM THE FIREPLACE. DX: IRRITATION OF R EYE; ABRASION OF SCLERA OF R EYE
69 YOM BENDING OVER TO PUT WOOD IN HIS FIREPLACE FELT POP IN BACK DX LOW BACK PAIN
43 YOM WAS PUTTING WOOD IN HIS FIREPLACE WHEN THE FLAMES FLASHED UP CAUSING BURNS TO FACE, HANDS, FOREARMS, AND UPPER BACK, UNKNOWN FIRE DEPARTMENT. DX: BURNS TO BACK, FACE, AND UPPER EXTREMITIES
91YOF TRIPPED OVER HER FOOT AND HIT HEAD ON WOOD BURNING STOVE. DX: CHI; SCALP LAC
41YOF, WAS BURNING WOOD IN THE FIREPLACE AND FORGOT TO OPEN EXHAUST VALVE WHEN SMOKE ALARM WENT OFF AND INHALED A LOT OF SMOKE AND NOW WITH LIGTHEADNESS AND DIZZINESS, DX: SMOKE INHALATION, DIZZINESS
12MOM WAS IN HOUSE THAT USES WOOD BURNER WHICH MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED ENTIRE HOUSE TO FILL WITH SMOKE NO FD DX SMOKE INHALATION
53YOM BURNED TRYING TO START A FIRE ON A WOOD BURNING STOVE BY THROWING ETOH ONTO FLAMES. DX: BURN EYELID- FIRE W/ NO F.D.
30YOF INHALED SMOKE FROM FIRE IN WOOD-BURNING FIREPLACE. DX: THROAT IRRITATION
12MOM PRESENTING WITH BURN TO RIGHT HAND. MOM STATES THAT THEY HAVE A WOOD BURNING FIREPLACE WITH A GLASS COVER THAT HAD A FIRE BURNING AND FOUND PATIENT WITH HIS HAND ON THE GLASS FIREPLACE COVER. DX: BURN OF MULTIPLE SITES OF RIGHT HAND.
66YOF WAS PUTTING A PIECE OF FIREWOOD INTO HER WOODSTOVE LAST NIGHT AND BECAME UNBALANCED WHEN SHE BUMPED INTO THE FIREPLACE AND SUSTAINED THERMAL INJURIES TO HER RIGHT HAND AND RIGHT CHEEK DX: SECOND DEGREE BURN TO RIGHT HAND, FIRST DEREE BURN ON RIGHT CHEEK
41YOM BIB EMS FOR LOW BACK PAIN WHICH HE HAS HAD ON AND OFF GOT ABOUT 3 WEEKS. HE STATES TODAY THE PAIN WAS SO BAD THAT HE COULD NOT GET OUT OF HIS CAR. HE STATES THAT HE DID PUSH A WOOD STOVE A FEW WEEKS AGO. HE SEEMS TO HAVE A LITTLE MORE PAIN ON L SIDE, RADIATING AROUND TO FRONT OF ABDOMEN. DX: LUMBAR DISC HERNIATION/ LOW BACK PAIN
54 YOF ACCIDENTALLY DRUG HER ARM ACROSS THE WOOD STOVE ON WEDNESDAY 6 DAYS AGO. DX: LEFT FOREARM BURN, CELLULITIS.
Consumer Incident Reports
Reports filed by consumers on SaferProducts.gov.
When using a outdoor wood burning fire place the outside brick like coating began to explode sending fiberglass shards as large as 2 inches out into the yard. Some of the shards landed as far as 30 yards away. The fire place was purchased at a Menards in Richfield MN.
(Approx. 2012 or 2013): The exact same problem that is described in the recall notice #11-157: (The decorative bronze powder coat finish on the fireplace chimney can ignite during use, posing a fire hazard to consumers), happened to the consumer. This incident happened approximately 1 -2 years after it was purchased and on the 2nd or 3rd time the fireplace was used. The consumer discontinued use of it after the incident. When the fire occurred, flames went everywhere and the consumers threw water on it to put out the fire. (7/2021) The consumer was searching for replacement parts, when she found CPSC Recall# 11-157. She said that neither the firm, nor the dealer notified them about the recall. She also said she registered her product after it was purchased and charged the payment on her Lowes account, so they had her contact information and the exact product information for the purchase. The firms recall phone number (877-343-5651 ) and website ( www.sunjoydirect.com/fireplacerecall.html) are no longer working.
I purchased a Garden Treasures outdoor fireplace from Lowes Inc., Watertown, NY. This was an in-store purchase. The fireplace comes as either a gas or wood unit. I purchased the wood unit. It is exactly the same as the one listed on your recall except that mine has screen doors instead of glass. I just purchased it last week, June 2011. The problem is. The first time I lit the fireplace with three stacked logs it burned until one of the logs split and rolled against the door. The door immediately opened and the log spilled out onto my deck and set it on fire. As I was right there I was able to put out the fire before it spread beyond the front of the fireplace. The doors are so hot that I had to run and get gloves before I could shut it. The locking mechanism was in place but it seems to give with the slightest amount of pressure. I had a second fire in the unit and the door did the same thing when burning material rolled against it. Unit is Garden Treasures outdoor fireplace #352696 Bar code M51027393.
Purchased factory built fireplace Phenix Green 120 from Wittus, New York, manufacturer Bodart & Gonay. Fireplace installed fall 2017, but did not finish the covering as we wanted to evaluate the performance before deciding on the venting on the top of the fireplace. Started on the finish work and noticed a large burned area directly below the 10x10 opening underneath the fireplace. Contacted Wittus who suggested an ember rolled underneath. Used a mirror to look underneath and noticed the metal was discolored. Also used a thermometer and measured approximately 350F without burning a hot fire. Contacted [REDACTED] who is listed as the certification company for UL 127 on the fireplace. According to [REDACTED], they withdrew their support for Bodart & Gonay 10/23/2012. Our fireplace was manufactured 03/23/2016 with [REDACTED] listed as the certification company. Have been trying to resolve the issue with Wittus, but no response. Could possibly be many other consumers in my situation unaware that the fireplace is far from safe. Have pictures/documentation is desired.
The consumer has a safety concern about the fireplace inserts. He stated that whenever he start a fire in the fireplace, embers or ashes, start coming out of the chimney. They tumble down the roof and sometimes they land on his deck. He does not know if they are hot because he has never seen them glow. The consumer is also concern because he lives in a cabin. If there is a breeze, the embers will blow away and start a fire in the woods.
Burn injuries resulted when the owner used the wrong fuel in a wall mounted fireplace. Injury occurred while the owner was refueling the burner assembly. Fireplace has no warning label(s) for the consumer to know what fuel to use or the proper fueling instructions displayed on the appliance. The incident occurred at a private residence. The owner was pouring denatured alcohol into the burner unit, located inside the fireplace enclosure, when the fire occurred. The fire was identified as a vapor being ignited by a unknown ignition source. Owner was transported to the hospital for first and second degree burns to her face, upper torso and right hand. The owner is maintaining the decorative fireplace at her residence for CPSc.
I have a sunjoy fireplace that has melted through causing the log to roll out and set my deck on fire. No injuries to human were involved but damage to the deck and the fireplace
My home burned to the ground due to :CFM Corp. Recalls Sequoia Wood Burning Fireplaces for Fire Hazard. The fire started out of the top back area of the unit and through the chase on the outside of the house. We were never notified of a recall and lost our home of 25 years and everything we ever owned. We also lost out cat in the fire.
Showing 8 of 17 reports.
Product Recalls
Search for active and past recalls related to wood burning fireplaces, factory built on the CPSC website.
Frequently Asked Questions
How dangerous are wood burning fireplaces, factory built?
Based on 20 years of CPSC data, wood burning fireplaces, factory built have a danger score of 33/100 (low risk). An estimated 215 ER-treated injuries occur annually in the U.S. related to this product category.
What are the most common injuries from wood burning fireplaces, factory built?
The most common injury is anoxia to the all parts body, accounting for approximately 503 injuries over 20 years.
Are injuries from wood burning fireplaces, factory built increasing or decreasing?
Down 50% over 5 years.
Who is most at risk for wood burning fireplaces, factory built injuries?
The 45-54 age group accounts for the most injuries, with approximately 881 cases recorded over 20 years. Females are more frequently injured in this age group.
What happens when someone is injured by wood burning fireplaces, factory built?
Of all ER visits involving wood burning fireplaces, factory built, approximately 16.9% result in hospital admission. The majority of patients (83.1%) are treated and released from the emergency department.
How can I report a safety problem with wood burning fireplaces, factory built?
You can file a consumer incident report at SaferProducts.gov, the official CPSC reporting portal. Reports help the CPSC identify emerging hazards and trigger investigations or recalls. You can also call the CPSC hotline at 1-800-638-2772.
Related Products in Kitchen Small Appliances & Housewares
Safety Guides
What this means for you
Treat the 33/100 score as relative risk between products, not your personal odds of injury.
- See where this category ranks against every other tracked product. Full rankings
- Injuries cluster in the 45-54 age group, take extra care if that describes your household.
- Check for active recalls on this product before you assume it is safe. CPSC recalls
NEISS estimates ER-treated injuries from a national probability sample of hospitals; they do not capture injuries treated elsewhere or not treated at all.
Data: CPSC National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) 2005–2024 and SaferProducts.gov consumer incident reports. Injury estimates are based on a nationally representative probability sample of U.S. hospital emergency departments. This page is for informational purposes only and is not affiliated with the CPSC.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, scored, and verified.
