The lightweight metal architectural cladding that is believed to have played a significant part in a deadly June 2017 fire in a London apartment tower is still being used on thousands of buildings around the world, but what can be done about it? [More]
fire
Despite New Safety Rules, Family Says Two Of Its Hoverboards Caught On Fire
By 10.24.17
While the craze surrounding hoverboards may have died down, that doesn’t mean the self-balancing scooters are any safer. To that end, a Wisconsin family says they recently experienced not one, but two hoverboards that caught on fire. [More]
Nearly 500K Dodge Ram Trucks Recalled Over Fire Risk
By 9.20.17
Fiat Chrysler has recalled nearly half a million large trucks after reports from customers revealed the vehicles could pose a fire risk. [More]
At Least 17 Lithium-Ion Batteries Have Exploded On Planes This Year
By 6.9.17
Many air travelers fly with multiple devices that use lithium-ion batteries: phones, laptops, tablets, e-readers, smartwatches, fitness band, and more. As these batteries have become so widely used, the number of incidents involving exploding lithium-ion batteries on planes also appears to be on the rise. [More]
After Deadly Fire, Government Warns Against Using LayZ Board Hoverboards
By 5.2.17 — Updated: 5.9.17
Two months after a charging “hoverboard” scooter sparked a tragic fire in Pennsylvania that claimed the lives of two young girls, federal safety regulators are warning consumers to stop using LayZ Board hoverboards. [More]
Ford Recalls 441,000 Vehicles Over Fire Risk, Door Latch Issues
By 3.29.17 — Updated: 5.10.17
Driving a car that is on fire or that has doors popping open is impressive, but not recommended. For that reason, you should be aware of Ford’s latest recalls. [More]
Samsung Store Catches Fire, Cause Unknown
By 3.28.17
As if Samsung hasn’t had enough problems involving explosions or fires when it comes to its devices: A fire began in the backroom of one of the company’s retail stores in Singapore early today. [More]
Passenger’s Headphones Explode During Flight
By 3.15.17
Many travelers enjoy getting a little shut-eye on their trip. While most are awoken by the sound of fellow passengers or small bout of turbulence, a woman traveling from China to Australia woke to the sound of an explosion: her headphones. [More]
Regulators Investigating Hoverboard Fire That Killed 3-Year-Old Girl
By 3.13.17 — Updated: 5.10.17
Nearly eight months after the Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled more than 500,000 “hoverboard” scooters from eight manufacturers over fire hazards posed by the devices’ lithium-ion battery backs, the agency has opened an investigation into a fire that killed a 3-year-old girl in Pennsylvania on Friday. [More]
Samsung Investigation Finds Battery Was Likely Main Cause Of Galaxy Note 7 Debacle
By 1.16.17
Five months after Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 debacle began, the tech company is preparing to put the whole exploding phone thing in the past, starting with an inquiry into why the devices unexpectedly caught fire or began to smoke. [More]
Gree Re-Announces 2013 Dehumidifier Recall Linked To $19M In Property Damage
By 11.30.16
Federal safety regulators are hoping the fourth time is the charm for millions of recalled dehumidifiers that have now been linked to 450 fires and more than $19 million in property damage: Gree Electric Appliances — the manufacturer fined a record $15.45 million over the fiery dehumidifiers earlier this year — has re-announced the recall. [More]
Kia Recalls 72K Sportages Over “Thermal Events” — A Snazzy Way Of Saying “Fire”
By 11.23.16 — Updated: 11.27.16
Blaze, inferno, and conflagration are all words that can be use interchangeably with “fire.” But, as referenced in Kia’s latest recall, the carmaker has its own term to describe the incident you never want to happen to your vehicle — “thermal event.” [More]
Toys “R” Us Pulls Tonka Riding Truck After One Catches Fire, Explodes, In Real Truck
By 11.21.16
If your Black Friday shopping list included purchasing a rideable Tonka Mighty Wheels Ride-On dump truck from Toy “R” Us, you’ll need to revisit your game plan. The toy retailer announced that it has pulled the truck after a couple says it exploded in the back of their own life-sized pickup truck over the weekend. [More]
American Airlines Flight Catches Fire After Aborting Takeoff In Chicago
By 10.28.16
An American Airlines flight preparing to takeoff from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport blew a tire and caught fire Friday afternoon following a reported engine malfunction. [More]
Subaru Recalls 100K Vehicles Over Fire Concerns
By 10.26.16 — Updated: 10.31.16
One of the last things you might expect when driving your vehicle is for it to catch on fire. But that’s apparently a concern for more than 100,000 Subaru vehicles now under recall. [More]
Samsung Unsure Why Galaxy Note 7 Catches Fire, But Sends Fireproof Boxes For Returns
By 10.12.16
The end of the line came for Samsung’s fiery (literally) Galaxy Note 7 phone this week. The company has killed off the phone for good, but there are still several million of them out there worldwide, in warehouses, stores’ back rooms, and consumers’ hands, and getting them back safely is an… interesting logistical challenge. [More]
Replacement, Supposedly Non-Flammable Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Catches Fire On Plane
By 10.5.16 — Updated: 10.7.16
We’ve heard from dozens and dozens of readers who have had trouble exchanging their defective Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phones since the recall became official. Consumers who do get their hands on new phones, though, are supposed to be able to trust that those units are safe — or at least, as safe as any other new phone — and are not going to catch fire while in use. [More]
Walmart Worker Accused Of Setting Multiple Fires Inside The Same Store
By 9.29.16
Things got a bit heated at a Walmart in Massachusetts recently, after a employee allegedly set three fires inside the store. [More]
