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Exploding Myths: The Dangers of Consumer Fireworks

So, your'e thinking of using fireworks to celebrate the upcoming Independence Day. Please be aware that even the most mundane consumer fireworks contribute to the greatest number of injuries every year in the United States.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) tells us, "“Sparklers and novelties alone accounted for 32% of the emergency room fireworks injuries in 2009.” They also say, “84% of the fireworks injuries treated in hospital emergency rooms involved fireworks that Federal regulations permit consumers to use.”

Did you know that a simple sparkler can reach 1200° Fahrenheit? I've always wondered why we tell our children to stay away from hot things in the house, yet we seem to be willing to hand a sparkler to children as young as three and say, "wave it around!" We all contribute to their confusion and misunderstanding of dangers when we send such mixed messages.

For more information, you can download this NFPA Fact Sheet about fireworks.

Four Minutes to Save Your Life

 

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The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) launched the Install. Inspect. Protect. Campaign, encouraging people to install and maintain smoke alarms and sprinklers, practice fire escape plans, and perform a home safety walk-through.

The USFA recommends installing smoke alarms both inside and outside of  sleeping areas and on every level of your home; testing them monthly; changing alkaline batteries at least once a year; and installing ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms or dual sensor smoke alarms. For more information, visit www.usfa.dhs.gov/smokealarms or call the USFA Publications Office at (800) 561-3356.

Wal-Mart Recalls Electric Heaters Due to Fire and Burn Hazard

Wal-Mart Recalls Electric Heaters Due to Fire and Burn Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Flow Pro, Airtech, Aloha Breeze & Comfort Essentials Heaters

Units: About 2.2 million

Importer: Wal-Mart Stores Inc., of Bentonville, Arkansas

Hazard: The heaters can malfunction resulting in overheating, smoking, burning, melting and fire.

Incidents/Injuries: Wal-Mart has received 21 reports of incidents, which included 11 reports of property damage beyond the heater. Injuries were reported in four incidents, three of which required medical attention for minor burns and smoke inhalation. The remaining incidents included smoke irritation, sparking or property damage beyond the heater.

Description: This recall involves Flow Pro, Airtech, Aloha Breeze and Comfort Essentials 1500 watt heaters. The heaters are grey with a metal handle on the top with vents and grey control knobs on the front. The model number is 1013 and can be found on a label on the lower left corner of the back panel of the heater.

Sold Exclusively at: Walmart stores nationwide from December 2001 through October 2009 for about $18.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled heater and return the product to any Walmart store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Wal-Mart toll-free at (800) 925-6278 between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm�s website at www.walmart.com

  

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CPSC is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about it by visiting https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (301) 595-7054. To join a CPSC e-mail subscription list, please go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx. Consumers can obtain recall and general safety information by logging on to CPSC's Web site at www.cpsc.gov.

Fatal Fires Demonstrate Importance of Smoke Alarms - NBC4

This story ran December 14, 2010 on Columbus, OH station NBC4. It was reported by Tom Brockman.

Cartmill said so far this year, 138 people have died in fires in Ohio. That's one fewer than last year at this point and 39 fewer than two years ago.

Cartmill said when looking at those recent fatal fires, there really aren't any similarities other than the fact the homes in which the fires occurred either didn't have a smoke alarm or that alarm wasn't working.

A full transcript of this story can be found at the NBC4i web site.

Fire: Rental Insurance

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If you are a renter, don't hesitate to have a renter's insurance policy. Fortunately, the renter at this apartment did.

Also, if you have a stovetop fire, the recommended way to extinguish it (I'd rather you get out and call the FD) is to put a lid or bigger pan or cookie sheet over the top of it. Use the lid as a shield as you approach the burning pot or skillet. Tilt it into place and cover the pot. Turn off the heat. DON'T move the pot or skillet. Leave it there to completely cool.

Also, Ohio, as in many states, has a law that requires you to report fires like these. Best not to take chances.