Scientists have discovered a new way to create high-output lithium ion batteries that do not pose a fire risk as the world continues to make greater use of the technology. These batteries are the first of their kind to have both high output and high life-span despite their solid state – potentially making them ideal for the modern market.
A major appliance manufacturer has reissued a recall for 12 brands of dehumidifiers, affecting about 2.5 million units in the U.S. and 55,000 units in Canada. More than 90 fires, and over $4 million in property damage have been reported. This recall involves dehumidifiers with the brand names Danby, De’Longhi, Fedders, Fellini, Frigidaire, GE, Gree, Kenmore, Norpole, Premiere, Seabreeze, SoleusAir and SuperClima.
This is a graphic video of the danger of putting water on a grease fire. You may want to add it to your fire prevention video collection. The article says the previous advice from fire prevention personnel to throw a damp tea-towel over a pan on fire was scrapped by the government in 2008 after fears it did more harm than good. A quick search of the internet provides many examples of where this advice is still the norm.
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/chip-pan-fires-what-chip-7021101
This state wide volunteer firefighter recruiting and retaining program includes an online “Train the Recruiter” course. It only takes about an hour and the course is full of useful information and tips for conducting recruitment activities. It includes available resources for promoting recruitment, tips for turning potential volunteers into department members and recommendations for getting the word out.
Members of the Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association went to the site of a warehouse fire to hand out flyers warning of the peril Toronto residents would face when the city proceeded with a plan to save money by closing one fire station and taking four fire trucks out of service.
New statistical information highlights firefighter work-related illnesses that present later in life. The report, which was prepared by the Massachusetts AFL-CIO and MassCOSH, states that 19 percent of worker deaths that occurred in Massachusetts in 2013 were firefighters, representing one of the largest concentrations of death for any occupation. Of the nine instances, four were attributed to work-related cancer and five were attributed to work-related heart disease.
Several train cars carrying crude oil derailed and caught fire with three black tankers ending up in the water and leaking some oil. It is the most recent crash involving oil trains that has safety efforts pushing for better oversight.
The NFPA recently announced that its Standards Council has approved the development of a test for open-flame sources, such as candles, matches and lighters. NFPA believes that the test will give furniture manufacturers a clear marker for determining fire resistance of upholstered furniture and will hopefully provide consumers with an important layer of fire protection.
Fourteen people, including five firefighters, were injured when two fire trucks collided sending one careening across a sidewalk and into a restaurant. One of the victims is in critical condition, officials said.
http://www.castanet.net/news/World/113279/Firetruck-slams-into-restaurant
Public safety may be priceless, but the same probably can’t be said for long about fire inspections intended to protect it. “We were charged (by council) to look at what other municipalities are doing, and more often than not they charge for inspections,” Fire Chief Amy Biggs said. “We tried to come up with a blend that is representative of our area. Our fees are conservative in nature and take into account the time it takes to do what we do.”