ChapStick is one of the most benign seeming objects in everyday life, a small stick of waxy lip balm. But the question…
If you’ve seen the videos of teenagers spraying deodorant cans at lighters and creating fireballs, you already know the answer; however, the…
Resin is a broad category that covers dozens of different materials: epoxy resin, polyester resin, UV resin, alkyd resin, and more. Their…
“`html Epoxy is used for everything from garage floor coatings to structural repairs to electronics potting. It comes in two parts: a…
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) pipe is one of the most common plumbing materials in residential construction. In a house fire, all that plastic…
Fiberglass is used in everything from boat hulls to bathtubs to insulation. Its fire behavior is frequently misunderstood, partly because “fiberglass” can…
Polyester is the most widely used synthetic fabric in the world; it appears in clothing, bedding, upholstery, outdoor gear, and industrial applications.…
Nylon is everywhere: clothing, rope, carpet, upholstery, zip ties, toothbrush bristles. In a fire, how does it behave? The answer matters for…
Rubber shows up everywhere: gloves, gaskets, hoses, shoe soles, and electrical insulation. Its fire behavior varies significantly depending on whether it’s natural…
Tire fires are among the most difficult fires a department can respond to. If you’ve ever seen a tire dump burning on…
Whether you’re at a barbecue with open flames, sitting around a campfire, or just wondering about that case of beer in the…
This one might seem like the most obvious question in the world. It is called lighter fluid. Of course it is flammable.…
After the pandemic, hand sanitizer went from a convenience store afterthought to a household essential. It is in our cars, our bags,…
Kerosene has been around for a long time. It powered lamps before electricity, it heated homes before natural gas was widely available,…
Whether you are changing your oil at home or just topping off under the hood, motor oil is one of those substances…
Baking soda is an impressive substance with a lot of potential uses. If we aren’t using it to help cakes rise, we’re…
Whether to dye your hair or clean your bathroom, most people have used or encountered bleach a time or two. It has…
Cotton is the material of choice for a lot of consumers. It is light and breathable enough for use in summer clothing,…
Where would we be without glue? With so many different types available for all kinds of DIY and household projects, it helps…
Soap is an essential tool in our day-to-day life that we assume has to be one of the safest products around. After…
I talk about a lot of different substances in these guides and this is one that you will either find pretty interesting…
There is little that is more essential for life than oxygen. Even a short-term lack of this gas can be life-threatening. But…
We all know that there are some gases you don’t want to expose to open flames. But what about helium? There are…
Concrete is a substance we often take for granted without considering its properties and worth. There are many good reasons why we…
There is the understandable perception that aluminum foil must be a fireproof material. After all, we use it all the time for…
Steel wool is a great material for DIY and more heavy-duty crafting in a workshop. The texture and strength of this “wool”…
Fire retardant sprays are undeniably effective in preventing the spread of fire and reducing the flammability of objects. But, is there a…
When we talk about the most fire retardant materials, wool often isn’t top of mind. The thick natural fleece seems like it…
Spray foam insulation is a great way to add insulation to your home, keeping the heat in the winter, making the place…
Many vehicles run on diesel; perhaps you even own one. As you fill up at the pump, it might have crossed your…
Glitter is something that is supposed to bring nothing but joy. The sparkly substance adds shine and beauty to everything from cakes…
To you, few scents in this world are better than burning wood. From a fireplace in your living room to a fire…
Your skin is a lot of things, such as soft, supple, and protective. From temperature extremes to chemicals and bacteria, skin can…
As a firefighter, I’ve been asked some pretty ridiculous things. One of the topics that comes up more often than you would…
Vinegar is a pretty interesting substance when you think about it. Some of us will put vinegar on our food for flavoring…
Nail polish is a common beauty product for people all over the world. Countless bottles are sold in stores and used in…
Men and women alike use shaving cream (or shaving gel, as the women’s product is called) to shave their faces and bodies…
We use duct tape for so much in DIY and general repairs because it is such a strong and reliable way to…
Cinnamon has to be one of the most popular spices found in any kitchen cupboard. We enjoy the smell in cakes, candles,…
When we talk about the dangers of fire, it is usually the flames that come to mind. We fear the ferocity of…
More than likely, you have some in your medicine cabinet right now. We’re talking about petroleum jelly, which is often applied to…