PORTABLE ethanol burners have been banned in four Australian states, including Victoria, as the federal government aims to outlaw the product amid safety concerns.

A 60-day ban on the sale of the decorative, alcohol-fuelled burners came into effect in Victoria, NSW, Queensland and WA on Wednesday after a woman was horrifically burned, leaving her with burns across much of her face and upper body.

The decorative burners, filled with methylated spirits, ethanol or bio fuel, have caused 113 reported injuries and 115 fires in Australia since 2010. They can be freestanding or sit atop furniture.

media_camera Ethanol burners have been banned in four Australian states, including Victoria. Picture: AAP/Western Australia Government

Retailers and online traders must take the banned products off their shelves or delete them from online catalogues immediately.

Those who continue to sell them will face steep penalties of up to $220,000 for individuals and $1.1 million for corporations.

People with ethanol-fuelled burners at home are advised to stop using them immediately.

The ban doesn’t apply to fixed alcohol-fuelled fireplaces, products used in the heating or warming of food, or products with a power output of more than 4.5kW.

The federal government hopes to apply a national ban on the product following advice from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

Federal Small Business Minister Michael McCormack says despite previous warnings by the watchdog, significant injuries are still occurring, including second- or third-degree burns.

“I’m worried about the potential harm these products can cause families, which is why we’re moving towards banning those burners that pose the greatest risk,” he said in a statement.

Western Australian authorities banned the burners, after a 28-year-old Perth woman suffered serious burns to her face and upper body when an ethanol burner exploded during a backyard barbecue being held at a friend’s house.

“I had arrived at my girlfriend’s house — everything was fine, we sat down and a few minutes later there was kind of a crackling noise — a fireball kind of came out of where the candle was sitting heading in my direction and it hit me, setting me on fire,” she said.

media_camera Victoria has joined other states in banning portable ethanol burners after a 28-year-old Perth woman (pictured) was badly burned by one. Picture: Consumer Protection WA

The 28-year-old tore her burning jacket off, but other guests were forced to pat her down and eventually turn a hose on her.

Horribly burned she was taken to the Fiona Stanley Hospital and placed in an induced coma for three weeks.

“I’m lucky that I’m recovering fairly well but if this was to happen to an elderly person or child there may not be coping as well as what I’m coping,” she said.

“The fact of the matter is these things are lit at Christmas time when you are entertaining and there are children around. So it is, I think it’s important to not only get them off the market but to get them out of people’s homes.”

The Perth woman suffered burns to 18 per cent of her body and will be forced to wear a full head fabric face mask, gloves and compression garments for up to six to 12 months.

She’s already undergone further surgery, including several skin grafts.

The ban only involves the tabletop version of the burners.