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Engineers are tearing the guts out of abandoned old homes around the country to see how well the wiring systems have aged. What they're finding are fire hazards in the making. Not from the electrical equipment, but from improper installation and overloaded capacity.
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Binge drinking, date rape and fire. What do these unfortunate circumstances have in common? College. Clearly UL can't speak to the first two, but UL certainly knows about fire prevention. Learn how to prevent fires on and off campus and discover the startling statistics that make this an issue that even Congress has noticed.
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Often called the silent killer, carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is responsible for 500 accidental deaths each year. Symptoms for CO poisoning often mimic the flu. Learn how to spot the signs of CO poisoning before it's too late.
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What is the easiest way to save a life? By installing a smoke alarm. All you need are two screws, one screwdriver and a battery. In fact, since smoke alarms were introduced, fire deaths have been cut in half.
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Whether using charcoal or gas grills, consumers must beware of the risks. Improper grill use can result in deadly structure fires, outdoor fires and extensive property loss. But a few precautions can prevent needless damage and injury.
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The backyard pool can be a welcome escape on a hot, sunny day. But for children, the pool can also be an alluring deathtrap. Fences should be the first line in pool protection, but not the last.
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Opening doors with credit cards, safecracking with a stethoscope. Talking on the phone during a lightning storm. These and other popular urban myths dealing with safety and security are explored. Some turn out to be old wives tales, while others are just good common sense.
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According to the National Fire Protection Association, 410,500 fires or 78 percent of all reported structure fires occurred in residential structures. In the right hands, a household fire extinguisher can save lives and protect property in case of a fire.
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According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), a residential fire (includes homes, hotels, dormitories, and rooming houses) was reported every 77 seconds - down two seconds from 2002. Also, 3,225 people died in residential fires in 2004, a slight increase of 1.9 percent from the previous year.
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With heating costs rising each winter, the prospect of using alternative heating sources - woodstoves, space heaters and fireplaces - is more tempting than ever.
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According to the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Coast Guard, in 2004, the most reported type of boating accident was a collision with another vessel. However, capsizing and falls overboard are the most reported types of fatal accidents and accounted for more than half - 57 percent - of all boating fatalities.
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Whether you're remodeling a basement, fixing a porch or building a deck, chances are you'll use a power saw, which makes any home fix-it job easier. But beware: Contact with saw blades spinning at 5,000 revolutions per minute sends more than 93,000 people to the emergency room each year.
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For all the dangers lurking in this world, it's ironic that infants and toddlers face the greatest physical peril in the sanctity of their own homes. Injury is a leading cause of death among children, accounting for more than a third of all deaths among children ages 1 to 4, according to the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).
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The popularity of candles has grown significantly in recent years, with annual retail sales over $2 billion. Because of their popularity, candle-related fires can occur year-round, which means consumers should always take the proper precautions to guard against candle fires.
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For years, the delicious, deep-fried turkey was a culinary chef-d'oeuvre confined to the South. But thanks to celebrity chefs such as Martha Stewart and Emeril Lagasse it has quickly become one of America's favorite feasts. While this tasty creation deserves the raves it gets, Underwriters Laboratories Inc.'s safety experts are still concerned that some backyard chefs may be sacrificing safety for good taste.
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Leaving an unattended skillet sizzling on the stove is a good way to burn your food, not to mention the chance of burning down your house. According to U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) statistics, almost 30 percent of all reported home fires start in the kitchen, and of those, most involve the range-top.
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Christmas trees are among the most popular decorations of yuletide, but they also can be deadly. In 2000-2004 on average, one out of every 22 Christmas tree fires in homes resulted in a death, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
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Regardless of where you live, we all share a common threat every year - storm conditions; and if not taken seriously, you can quickly find yourself in a hazardous situation. Be it hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, ice storms, flooding rains or severe thunderstorms, each season some part of the country is facing duck-and-cover weather.
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Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and the Fire Protection Research Foundation (FPRF) announced the completion of a study that enhances the fire safety community's understanding of modern fire hazards and may eventually lead to changes in how people are kept safer from fire.
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With the new open flame ignition regulation for mattresses taking effect July 1, UL has been burning mattresses 24/7 - three shifts a day, seven days a week. The global product safety testing organization estimates it has burned nearly 4,000 mattresses in the last year to verify compliance to these requirements.
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According to a survey conducted this year by the National Retail Federation (NRF), Halloween is the unofficial beginning of an extended holiday decorating season. Americans are expected to spend a record $5.07 billion on costumes, cards, candy and home or yard décor for the chilling holiday.
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Drawing Wisdom from the Wall
How To Survive Campus Life 101
Carbon Monoxide: Silent And Deadly
Smoke Alarms - A Lifesaving Device
Get Grilled on Grilling Safety
Pool Safety Involves More Than Learning The Backstroke
Urban Safety Myths
Learn How and When To Use Your Fire Extinguisher
Home Fire Escape Plans Require Practice To Be Perfect
No Alternative for Safety When Using Alternative Heating
Don't Panic! Life Jacket Is Boater's Best Friend
When Using Power Saws, Safety Must Prevail
How Safe Are Your Kids at Home?
The Allure of Candlelight Can Quickly Turn to Disaster
Deep-Frying That Turkey Could Land You in Hot Water
Cooking Up Kitchen Safety
Keep That Holiday Cheer Away from Fires, Falls or Shocks
Simple Safety Precautions Help You Weather the Storms
Groundbreaking Study of Smoke Characterization Could Change the Face of Fire Safety
Holiday Decorating Isn't Just for Christmas Anymore