Did you know that some household substances are flammable?
Many homeowners are well aware of obvious household items and substances that can cause house fires such as burning candles and leaking gas pipes or gas burners. However, many harmless household items can also lead to fire damage when exposed to flame.
So, make sure to place the following items far away from fire sources such as stovetops, candles, and fireplaces:
Aerosols
Aerosol sprays such as deodorants, hairsprays, air fresheners, sunscreen sprays, and even sprays paints contain flammable propellants such as butane and propane. Moreover, these sprays work because the contents are contained in pressurized cans, which can explode when exposed to high heat. This is why you must keep all aerosol sprays away from open flames, air vents, lit cigarettes, and all other heat sources.
Dryer lint
Dryer lint is the buildup of textile hair, fibers, lint, and debris, which are all extremely flammable. It clogs washer and dryer vents, ducts, and lint trap. It reduces airflow and increases the chances of fire ignition. So, make sure to clean your machine’s lint filter, exhaust hose, and vents regularly to prevent lint buildup.
Flour
The fine dust of flour suspended in midair can explode when exposed to flame, which sometimes happens in grain silos as well. Moreover, since flour contains carbohydrates, which burn rapidly. Also, since dust can spread over a large area, the flame can travel pretty quickly. So, make sure to keep flour away from your stovetop when cooking.
Mothballs
The peculiar smell that keeps moths and other pests away from your closets is also what makes mothballs highly flammable. Traditional mothballs are made from naphthalene, which is a chemical used in explosives and can catch fire pretty easily.
Hand Sanitizer
Due to the spread of the novel coronavirus, hand sanitizers have become a vital part of many households. However, the active ingredient in hand sanitizers, ethyl alcohol, is exceptionally flammable. So, make sure that you keep your hand sanitizers away from open fires and even your lighters.
Shoe Polish
Shoe polish contains a blend of natural and synthetic components, including turpentine, naphtha, and different waxes, all of which are incredibly flammable. Moreover, many black shoe polishes contain combustible charcoal dust. So, make sure to keep your shoe polish away from fire.
Nail Polish and Remover
Both nail polish and nail polish remover contain highly flammable chemicals. Nail polish usually contains isopropyl alcohol, butyl acetate, and ethyl acetate, while nail polish remover typically contains acetone, which is so incredibly flammable that even its vapors can catch fire!
Linseed Oil
Linseed oil, used in wood stains and finishes, is pretty flammable. The cleaning towels that are used to apply the linseed oil can to catch fire if stored improperly. So, make sure to keep them away from open flames.
The above-mentioned items may seem harmless, but when exposed to open flame, they can cause significant fire damage. So, make sure to keep them away from open flame.
