You might be surprised how many flammable liquids you have in your bathroom, laundry room, basement and garage — liquids that could pose a threat to your home and family.
Understanding flammable materials is the first step to handling them safely, says Dan Marshall, vice-president of marketing and business development with Scepter, manufacturers of smart control fuel containers.
“Nail polish remover, rubbing alcohol, linseed oil and aerosol cans all contain highly flammable materials,” says Marshall. “Oftentimes we just think about gasoline, paint thinners and lighter fluids as being flammable, however, there are flammable liquids throughout the entire home.”
Flammable liquids are considered fluids that can easily ignite at or below room temperature, says Marshall.
“Whether exposed to an open flame, static electricity or even the spark from a barbecue, these fluids have a flash point,” he says. “Put simply, the lower the flash point, the more volatile a flammable liquid is. This is the lowest temperature at which vapours will ignite when met with an ignition source.
“A flammable substance catches fire immediately when exposed to a major heat source, like an open flame but, it can also be a burning cigarette carelessly left near paint thinner. That’s why it’s so important to contain flammable fluids safely in the home, garage, work shed and other places.”
Safely storing flammable liquids in the home should be a top priority for all homeowners, especially those with children.
“It’s not enough to keep these items away from a direct flame source,” says Marshall. “When using these items, people also need to take into consideration their proper and intended uses, plus potential fume problems.
“There are many ways flammable liquids can be used safely around the home. Whether fueling up a lawn mower or using lighter fluid to ignite a barbecue, it’s important to follow these safety tips.”
- Never use gasoline or diesel to start fires.
- Only store gasoline in specially-designed fuel containers that have child safety locks.
- Never allow children to pour or use flammable liquids, especially not near open flames.
- Use only fuel storage containers that are ventilated to prevent fume build-up.
- When using or transporting flammable liquids, use extreme caution and do so in spaces with adequate ventilation.
- When not in use, store any containers with a flammable material in a secure, dry location away from heat sources, pets and easy access by children.
- Should a flammable liquid spill in or outside the home, there can be a vapour or fire hazard. Immediately contact your fire department or local authorities for full cleaning instructions and restrict access to the spill area from children and pets.
Copyright Postmedia Network Inc., 2020
