All posts by pat brownlee

General Safety Issues

A FEW PRACTICAL TIPS FOR IMPROVING SAFETY AND SECURITY AROUND YOUR HOME (GUEST POST)

 In this day and age, improving the safety and security around your home is something in which I encourage all homeowners to consider investing in. After all, your home is where you live, where you raise your family. It contains expensive electronics, jewelry and other valuables like financial records that could lead to identity theft in the wrong hands. Therefore it is important to protect your property both indoors and out as well as secure your family’s peace of mind.

Consider installing security cameras

One easy way to improve the safety of your home is by installing security cameras. When installing surveillance cameras as part of a security system you can typically expect to earn a break in your insurance and can expect the system to pay for itself in a short amount of time and is ultimately a lot less expensive than having your home burglarized.

Home security cameras are often installed above the main entrance point. This is a great way to keep aware of who is coming and going from your home even if you are not present. Moreover, some security systems allow you to unlock a locked front door from a remote location. This is an extremely helpful way to let your kids in the house when they lose their key while you’re at work.
Also, be aware that you can also set up your own remote home monitoring system without the expensive dedicated setup and save some additional money. However, I’m not sure if this approach would qualify you for any discount on your homeowners insurance.

Take your landscaping into consideration

Burglars are always looking for an “easy mark,” and when they pick a home to burglarize it’s rarely, if ever done at random. One of the first things a burglar does is scope out the neighborhood. The last thing a burglar wants to deal with is a nosy neighbor and one of the main things they look for is a home with the least visibility from the street.
Burglars can get exceptional cover from tall privacy fences; break into your home without being caught by using tall trees and unkempt shrubbery that conceals windows. They look for things like un-mowed lawns that could indicated the homeowner is away from home a lot or kids toys left on the lawn because kids in most instances means a mom lives there which means there’s a good chance there’s jewelry inside.

Improve the lighting in your yard

One of the most important steps to take when making your home more secure is by installing adequate lighting outside your house. These lights can be solar-powered which prevents you from having to replace batteries, times so that they come on as the sun goes down and go off as the sun rises or they could be motion sensitive lights that are triggered when motion is detected in the lights “protection zone”.

Choosing the type of security lights to install is largely a matter of your own personal preference and not every type of light will meet the needs of every homeowner. Nevertheless, since security lights do a very good job of highlighting someone’s approach, they can be powerful deterrents to anyone who wants to enter your home uninvited.

Secure your front door

Although many homeowners may be unaware of this fact, one of the main entry points for burglars is through the front door. This is because homeowners often times neglect to replace a worn out and brittle door. Therefore, the burglars can sometimes break the door and gain entrance with little or no real effort.

About the author

Alex Goodwin is a writer, husband, father and aspiring novelist. When he isn’t writing for HomeDaddys or completing chores from his “honey- do” list, he’s most likely spending quality time with his wife and kids or working on his novel.

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

IS MY CHILDCARE PROVIDER UP ON SAFETY MEASURES? WHAT TO LOOK FOR (GUEST POST)

When you place your child in day care, you do so under the assumption that they will be safe. You want to know that your child is free from any type of harm, including that from dangerous toys or accessories. You also want to make sure that the place is sanitary. Children touch everything, and viruses can spread quickly if their surroundings are not kept clean.

To ensure that your child remains safe while not in your care, parents should look for signs that their care provider is keeping up to the standards you expect. Some of these “signs” include: 

1. Look at the outdoor equipment. Does it look rugged and well worn? While it is to be expected that play items will be well-used, you need to know that your child care dollars are going for upkeep as well as payroll. If the equipment looks too used, chances are it is not safe.

2. Look at the toys inside. Do the toys seem age-appropriate for the children? Some toys can present choking hazards or have sharp edges. These are dangerous to very small children.

3. Look at the infant area. This is especially important since babies can easily be harmed and catch viruses. Does this area contain:

*Does the baby play yard have removable mats and fabric? You want your infant to be in a play yard that can easily be washed and cleaned. Is a top sanitary precaution.  

*Heavy objects? As infants start to grow, they begin to reach and pull themselves up. Large bookcases and other items of this nature can easily topple over on infants, causing great harm.

*Hand sanitizer? You want your care providers to have clean hands when they are interacting with your baby.

*Crib sheets. Are the cribs or bassinets being used look and smell clean? Do they have removable sheets? You do not want your baby sleeping in an area that cannot be easily cleaned.

*Stuffed animals or large blankets in sleeping areas. Babies should never be placed to sleep with a large comforter or stuffed animal. This can cause suffocation.
4. Children’s furniture. Do the tables and chairs appear to be the right size for the children? Are they well-worn and seem to be wobbly? Are they made of metal? All of these things could pose a risk to your child.

While this may seem a little overprotective, it is not. Day care centers are obligated to keep your child safe, and that includes making sure that the equipment that they use, toys they provide, and their cleanliness level all meet specific standards.

If you have any concerns about any of these issues, or other things that you may have noticed, you should take the time to talk with the center about the problems. In many cases, the problem can be quickly resolved. If not, you may find that you need to search for more qualified care providers for your child.

Researcher and author Nickey Williams writes this article to create child safety awareness. The washable baby play yard is part of the Shiloh by InGenuity collection. Fabrics simply zip off in less than a minute for machine washing and you can swiftly fold & go without extracting the bassinet, making this product extremely convenient. 

 

 

General Safety Issues

SOLAR POWER FOR THE SMALL BUSINESS – INVESTING IN YOUR COMMUNITY (GUEST POST)

Energy demands are a hot topic in today’s society. Everyone is looking for a better way to conserve and live without sacrificing the creature comforts they have become reliant on. As a small business owner, you have the ability to assist your community by providing means to reduce the consumption of electricity within your establishment. The eco-friendly ramifications aside, a great deal can be accomplished by moving your system over to solar generation. Even the smallest, and most affordable, solutions can be beneficial to your community in a variety of ways.

1. Less Demand – By putting less demand on the power grid, you could essentially be helping your community in terms of power conservation. For each kilowatt-hour your business doesn’t use at its location, there is one kilowatt-hour of use in a private residence. If more businesses were like-minded, the price per kilowatt-hour could decrease as less of a demand is present, theoretically. Indirectly, this could help the economies of those locations as consumers are now able to spend more money instead of paying higher energy bills.

2. Decreasing Overhead – Even installing a few panels at a low cost to cover some of the energy demands of your business will decrease your monthly utility bills. With these bills decreasing, your business will have more money readily available for improvements, technological business advancements, payroll, or anything else you could use the extra money for. An eco-friendly establishment doesn’t just imply you are helping save the environment. It also implies you are helping to save your checkbook.

3. Promotional – Reducing your overhead means you are able to provide promotional discounts to customers with less fear of losing too much money. As you are saving money on the utilities, you could offer discounts on a regular basis which could turn into regular sales from consumers. People like a sale and offering such could greatly increase the business income. You could even go so far as to strike a deal with the solar power installation company to promote its work with a “we save so you save, thanks to…” type of campaign. Some organizations will consider the aspect of affiliate marketing and could create an additional revenue stream for your business. However you wish to spin the marketing campaign, you can use eco-friendly conscientious decisions to your benefit for creating a strong customer-base.

4. The Nights – Some will argue that solar power is lower at night greatly reducing the efficiency of photovoltaic cells. While this is true, consider how much power is actually used during the night compared to the amount of power you could feed into the grid during the day. While some businesses operate specifically at nighttime, the savings during the day should be more than worth the investment to you. Even if you close your business for the weekends, power is still generated that is being fed back into the grid which could possibly grant you a check from the electric company.

Being an eco-responsible business, you could very well become a trend-setter within your community. It’s in your best interest to at least investigate the possibilities of renewable energy sources for monetary benefits and reputation. You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars right away as you can slowly add panels piecemeal until your organization becomes a power-plant of its own putting far more into the grid than you are using.

This is a guest post by Liz Nelson from WhiteFence.com. She is a freelance writer and blogger from Houston.

General Safety Issues, Health Issues, Hearing Protection

WORKING IN LOUD ENVIRONMENTS: TREATMENT AND PREVENTION (GUEST POST)

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When we first learn to sing in tune, we learn the connection between intonation, sound and our ears, nose and throat. Live or loud music therefore impacts not only these bodily functions, but our jaw and teeth too.

Causes of jaw and teeth pain from loud music and treatments

The following are potential causes for the experience of pain in the jaw and teeth while listening to live or loud music:

Existing ENT condition

Some individuals may suffer from an existing Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) condition that may be the underlying cause of discomfort when experiencing live music. The ENT region may become more sensitized to sound. 

Treatment: A referral from a General Practitioner (GP) to an ENT specialist may help identify if this is the cause and the best available treatment to reduce sensitivity.

Clicking Jaw or TMJ disorder

A temporo-mandibular joint disorder or clicking jaw is when the upper and lower jaw do not function as they should, causing dysfunctional bite and pain in the jawbone, teeth and face. The sound vibrations may aggravate symptoms of TMJ.

Treatment: An Orthodontist may assess if TMJ is the cause and recommend treatments such as orthodontic braces and pain relief.

Loose teeth or Periodontal disease

People who suffer from gum disease, such as Periodontitis, may have loose teeth that are particularly affected by the vibrations from loud or live music. Periodontitis or gum disease occurs when decay damages the periodontal ligament that keeps the teeth secured to the jaw bone through the gum tissue. Once the ligament becomes destroyed, teeth become sore, infected and loose. These loose teeth may literally rattle to the music, causing further pain that radiates through the jawbone and face.

Treatment: Periodontists and Endodontists are dentists who specialise in treatments for gum disease. Root canal treatment may be used to remove infected gum tissue so that the tooth may be replaced by a dental restoration anchored to a dental implant. Missing teeth may be replaced by dentures, dental bridges and crowns.

Noise Anxiety and Bruxism

We all experience thresholds to sound differently and some of us may be more sensitive to sound volume than others. When anxiety due to noise or loud sound is experienced, some people may clench their teeth and grind their teeth. The teeth and jaw may ache from the teeth grinding.

Treatments: Dental mouth guards or shields may be custom-made for individuals who grind their teeth, whether due to noise anxiety, other fears or at night during sleep. Mouth guards prevent grinding teeth-on-teeth contact that may damage the tooth enamel causing teeth sensitivity. Some people may need to speak to their GP about anti-anxiety medication to prevent future TMJ disorders from developing.

Our thanks to James at netvectors.co.uk, for showing us another risk that is taken by people who listen to extremely loud music or work in loud environments.  For the best in hearing protection, which might help solve the dental problems, see our large variety of noise protection. pb

 

 

 

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

PRIVATE SCREENING TESTS FOR YOUR FAMILY’S HEALTH (GUEST POST)

Whether you are too embarrassed to ask your primary care physician to run a test for something specific such as a sexually transmitted disease (STD) or you simply do not have time during office hours to fit in an appointment, you can now find out if you have a long list of different health issues by ordering the screening tests privately at home. If a lab visit is required, the tests will be performed by a qualified healthcare facility that is not affiliated with your doctor’s office, and they can even keep the results out of your medical records.

Which Screening Tests Should My Family Get?

Regardless of whether you use a private service or go directly to your doctor for assistance, you should definitely focus on getting health screenings on a regular basis. For example, if you have your heart and cholesterol checked at least once a year, you can avoid dealing with the serious ramifications of a related health issue that spirals out of control.

It is also a good idea to utilize disease detection testing to ensure that you have not developed a serious health condition such as cancer. Keep in mind that most debilitating diseases do not present noticeable symptoms until after damage has already been done to your body. By signing up for regular disease detection screenings, you will have an important medical head start if you develop an issue.

The Importance of STD Screenings

Anyone who has ever been sexually active without using protection is at risk for contracting an STD and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has indicated that STDs are a rampant problem in the U.S. that is currently very under-diagnosed. Unfortunately, a large percentage of individuals who have a STD are not even aware of their condition because many of these diseases do not cause symptoms, especially in the early stages. Therefore, if you do not get tested, it is definitely possible that you could be unwittingly passing on an STD to anyone who you have sex with.

Thankfully, you can now get a screening for STDs confidentially without having to deal with the embarrassment that is associated with asking your regular physician to run these important tests. Most people agree that STD testing should be private.  However, if you choose to go to a local doctor or clinic they are required to put your test results on your permanent medical record. Luckily, there are labs like those at www.healthtestingcenters.com that do not have to do this and will send you the results directly.  

Other Screenings

Men understandably detest going through the process of a prostate exam, but now they have the option to order a screening test online and go directly through the lab. Other options include allergy screenings, fertility tests and even drug screenings for teenagers and at-risk family members. Although you cannot get a screening at home for every possible medical condition, the technology is continuously expanding to include additional tests.

With the combination of discreet home screenings and your primary care physician, there is no reason to neglect your health. After all, an early diagnosis is the best way to prevent a minor condition from turning into something that will threaten your life. By taking advantage of the available confidential screening tests, you can have peace of mind and the privacy that most people desire.

Researcher Shelby Warden posts this article for those who like the idea of easy and confidential health screening.  

General Safety Issues

WHY DOES ALL THE NEWS HAVE TO BE BAD?

It is as though we shouldn’t expect to hear good news; most of the time it is bad.  Maybe the last five minutes on the nightly news, a story will be shared that will bring a smile to our face.  Two news stories that have happened this week are the bombings in Boston, and the deadly explosion in the small town of West, Texas, near Waco.

People train for years to run in marathons; other persons serve in various ways to make this a successful annual event; but there are some sick persons who want to create havoc time after time, especially where innocent people are involved.  Thanks to the many ways that officials have to find the people responsible, hopefully soon we will know the culprit or culprits.  One of the things that keeps popping up in my mind, is an older man who was running in the marathon who fell at the time of the explosion; it seemed everyone around him was running in different directions to help others, that I wondered how long it was before he was helped, and if he is alright now. 

Whether it is in a city or small town, one thing remains: people rush to help people.  There are story after story of heroics that occurred in Boston; one of a veteran of Afghanistan who comforted a badly wounded woman by showing her his own shrapnel scars, assuring her that she would survive.

In the small town of West, Texas, population around 2,500 persons, last night (Wednesday) was a tragic evening.  A fire started at West Fertilizer Plant shortly before 8 p.m.  Volunteer firefighters responded, when suddenly, there was a violent explosion.  Firefighters lost their lives, and others are missing.  Because many chemical components are used in making fertilizer, used by farmers, there was also concern about toxic gas fumes.

Again, people rushed in from area towns to help – emergency vehicles, fire departments, Texas Department of Public Safety, along with area hospitals opening their emergency rooms doors, waiting to take care of the injured.  Townspeople of West offered help to their neighbors and friends, and those they didn’t know – a place to stay, or other necessities. 

Regardless of the place you live, big or small, when tragedy strikes, people pull together.  Hopefully, manmade disasters will be few and far between, but we must all do what we can to stay safe.  Be more aware of what is going on around you, and more vigilant – if something just doesn’t look right, tell someone in authority.

We at Blog4Safety and Texas America Safety Company offer our prayers for the injured and condolences to those families who lost loved ones.

Source: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

 

 

Back Safety, Ergonomics, General Safety Issues

HEALTH AND SAFETY TIPS FOR MOVERS (GUEST POST)

Movers help people relocate from point A to point B. They are called on to carry large and heavy furniture and appliances safely. Movers oversee the process and make sure all items are hauled to the new location in the fastest and safest way possible, using packaging tools and trucks for prep and transport. 

The Life of a Mover

The responsibilities of movers are more on strength of body instead of mind. In each project they manage, movers carry heavy boxes and push and pull cargo multiple times. With this nature of work, movers are exposed to health and safety hazards that should be identified and prevented. If one fails to do so, he/she may end up injured and out of the job for good. 

Peruse the Workplace

For starters, make your work environment safe by checking for anything unsafe or unhealthy within the area. A box full of sharp nails may be ready to collapse at any moment while a furniture piece may have some splinters waiting for the precise time to strike. Determine what is the highest risk and priority and how to deal with it. Prior planning and preparation for every project should be adopted into the workplace. 

Repair the Identified Problems

Take action to repair any issues that you’ve identified within the workplace. Pick up loose nuts and bolts that you could trip on or wrap exposed cables and wires with tape to avoid getting electrocuted or starting a fire. Check the issues you just addressed and make sure it won’t happen again. 

A professional mover must also plan and prepare individual health and safety measures for every project they undertake. Completing some training courses are also imperative to work safely. This not only helps you work proficiently and safely but also adds to your credentials as a professional mover. 

Familiarize Yourself With the Law

Know the laws relevant to moving and update yourself. There are laws for the transport of potentially dangerous goods, mass and dimension restrictions, load limit requirements, fatigue management, etc. Involve and inform your coworkers so that they too can exercise these health and safety protocols. 

Keep Your Vehicle in Perfect Condition

The other half of the moving process is transport. This means you should also be sure your vehicle is functioning properly. A flat tire can delay the move and even jeopardize the items carried by the vehicle. Your moving vehicle should be fit for the job. Have it checked and maintained regularly. This includes tire alignment, oil change, and engine diagnosis. Call a mechanic or learn the safety procedures of changing tires and other vehicle maintenance procedures if you are going to do it yourself. 

When in the driver’s seat, avoid multitasking like texting on your phone. Avoid distractions while loading and unloading as well. Bring a valid driver’s license along just in case you get in trouble with authorities. To avoid any problems, abide by all road regulations and laws. Be prepared for unprecedented circumstances like vehicle inspections and heavy traffic incidents. Install alert warning systems to avoid speeding and getting pulled over.

Handling Electrical Systems

Movers may also be required to perform some electrical work. If you are untrained and inexperienced in electrical work, call licensed electricians to do it for you. Do not attempt anything on the system if you are unsure as this may lead to injuries. Use exclusion zones when closely working with overhead power lines. Take note that the requirements for exclusion zones differ with voltage. The higher the voltage, the larger the exclusion zone. 

Avoid Stress

Avoid stressful situations and defuse them immediately before it worsens. A clear and focused mind is necessary to perform your responsibilities as a mover. Stress can cloud your judgment and disable you from thinking straight. This could lead to workplace accidents. Physical and mental fatigue should also be avoided by getting adequate rest and eating a well-balanced diet. Never leave for work on an empty stomach. Eat nutritious meals like cereals and whole grain breads that give you carbohydrates for energy. Get at least 6 hours of sleep per day to allow your mind to replenish. 

Protect Yourself From Extreme Temperatures

When at work, avoid extreme temperatures. Avoid the scorching summer heat by staying in the shade. Wear multiple layers of clothing during the cold winter season. Exposing your body to physical work plus the harsh climates can take its toll on both mind and body.  

This guest post was written by Victor Daily, passionate blogger with extensive experience from Brisbane, Australia. Important information for this article have been provided by http://www.yourlocalmovers.com.au.

We appreciate the great advice from Victor and hope he sends more!  Persons who do much lifting might want to consider wearing a lifting belt, and using the correct lifting methods to avoid back injury.  pb

General Safety Issues, Head Protection, Weather Protection

ESSENTIAL PROTECTIVE ITEMS FOR CONSTRUCTION SITES (GUEST POST)

Essential Protective Items for Construction Sites

In the construction industry, loud noises, extreme heights and unpredictable hazards are part of the job. You may also have to fight against rain, high winds and other extreme weather to get the job done. In this risky industry, having the right equipment and protective wear can protect you from common jobsite injuries. Following are some of the most important items for construction workers to have. 

Protective clothing

The weather conditions will have a big influence on the clothing you need to wear when working at a construction site. When it’s raining, you want appropriate rainwear, such as waterproof boots, pants and a raincoat with a hood. (When you’re handling tools, you don’t want to be slippery). If you’re working on highway or overnight construction projects, you can find rainwear with reflective strips, so people can see you in the darkness.

When the weather turns cold you will need warm hats, gloves and heavy socks to keep your extremities warm. Other protective clothing includes steel-toe boots, which protect your feet from falling objects, and polarized sunglasses that reduce glare.

Gear

Jackhammers, drills and other machinery can damage hearing permanently, so ear protection on the job is extremely important. In fact, the average 25-year-old carpenter has the hearing ability similar to a 50-year-old worker who doesn’t work in construction. Wear ear plugs or other ear protection devices to reduce the risk of hearing loss. And remind your coworkers to do the same.

Safety Hardhats are important when working in areas where construction activity is occurring above your head. The hard hat minimizes the risk of head injury, if an item falls from above. To prevent falling, rope ties, belts or harnesses are required by law when you’re working above a particular height. And you can protect your eyes from flying debris by wearing goggles or other protective face gear.

Quality tools

A construction worker depends on having reliable, quality tools. If your tools aren’t properly maintained or are in disrepair, that could increase your risk of accident or injury. Regularly inspect your tools to make sure they’re in good working order.

Radio

A two-way radio is important to have on the job, so you can communicate with others on the site and quickly get answers to questions. The two-way radio is also a great communication tool when there is an emergency and you need assistance immediately.

Having the right tools before heading out for the job site will help you do the job. It can be nearly impossible to successfully and productively do your job when you do not have the right equipment. Make a list of tools you need for each upcoming job and spend some time packing the items and ensuring each one works properly. While your employer is legally required to provide certain equipment, you should always double check to make sure it fits you well, is in good repair – and most importantly, you must remember to use it. That hard hat won’t do you any good if you forget to wear it.

Sent by Cassandra Lynne

General Safety Issues

APRIL IS NATIONAL DISTRACTED DRIVING MONTH

Think about this: according to the new Safety in Numbers newsletter from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, at any given daylight moment across the United States, about 660,000 drivers are using cell phones or manipulating electronic devices behind the wheel.  With that many persons texting or talking while driving, 3,300 people were killed in distraction-related crashes in 2011, and another 387,000 were injured.  Our nation’s roadways are the center of a deadly epidemic – distracted driving. 

Is there any message or conversation worth taking the chance of having a serious accident, or causing injury to others?  Drivers who use hand-held devices are four times more likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves.  Text messaging creates a crash risk 23 times worse than driving while not distracted.  Sending or receiving a text takes a driver’s eyes away from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds – the equivalent of driving 55 mph the length of an entire football field, blind. 

Here are other risks of using mobile communication devices while driving.

  • Driving while using a mobile phone reduces the amount of brain activity associated with driving by 37 per cent.
  • Headset mobile phone or hands-free use is actually no safer than hand-held use. (Your mind is on the conversation, rather than driving.)
  • Of American teens surveyed, 40 per cent say they have been in a car when the driver put others in danger by using a cell phone.
  • Using a cell phone while driving, hand-held or hands-free delays a driver’s reactions as much as having a blood alcohol concentration at the legal limit of 0.08 per cent.
  • Teen drivers are more likely than other age groups to be involved in a fatal crash where distraction is reported. 

Other distractions happen, as well.  One could be so absorbed in conversation with their passenger(s), they forget to pay attention to the road.  New cars that have all the bells and whistles, computer screens, also cause distractions.  Our minds are running 24/7, and when we are behind the wheel, they need to be totally focused on the rules of the road.  

Just this week, while driving through town, a young lady crossed the street in front of me, unaware that I had the green light.  I stopped and waited, but she was so engrossed in her cell phone, probably texting, that she never saw me.  She continued her walk, and never noticed that she could have been run over.  Had I been distracted by something, I might not have seen her at all until it was too late! 

Please make up your mind every time you get behind the wheel that you plan to drive safely and will wait to retrieve your phone messages when you reach your destination.  Try it, just turn off your phone while driving.

Statistics source: NHTSA

 

General Safety Issues

FOUR MOST FLAMMABLE FABRICS IN YOUR HOME (GUEST POST)

 Sent by Chelsea Terris

It’s important for every homeowner to know that certain fabrics used to decorate the home are more flammable than others. Awareness of which fabrics are the most flammable can help when selecting fabric for home  items like drapery, upholstery and slipcovers.

The four most flammable fabrics in your home are created from using cellulosic material. These include linen, cotton, lyocel and rayon, all light fabrics which allow oxygen to circulate more freely through their fibers. Because flame is fueled by oxygen, this oxygen flow encourages more rapid burning in the event they are exposed to fire.

Meet the Fabrics

Linen and cotton are two of the easiest fabrics to ignite because their texture is lightweight. Because these types of fabrics do not melt or shrink away from open flame, they have a rapid rate of combustion. When materials that include linen or cotton fabric catch fire in a home, smoke results.

Two manufactured cellulose fabrics, lyocel and rayon, rank beneath linen and cotton as the most flammable fabrics in the home. A distinct characteristic of these fabrics, which burn with a yellow flame, is that they shrink once they catch fire and can adhere to human skin, causing life-threatening burns. Heavy and tightly-knitted linen, cotton, lyocel and rayon fabrics, while flammable, tend to be more flame-resistant than fabrics that are lightweight and more loosely knit.

Increased Flammability and Treatment

Untreated natural fabrics such as wool and silk pose less of a threat since they are much more difficult to ignite and often are self-extinguishing once a fire begins. But chemical dyes used in the processing of these fabrics can greatly increase their flammability. Fabrics with nap, such as velvet and velour, also have a higher quotient for catching fire because they ignite much more quickly than fabrics whose surface is smooth.

Many flammable fabrics can be made safer for use in the home by treating with a chemical known as a fire-retardant. If they do catch fire, the chemical treatment helps to greatly slow the progress of the fire and often results in the fabric self-extinguishing before major damage is done.


Polyester fabrics that are constructed using flame-resistant fibers are considered permanently flame resistant. Whether fire-retardancy is built into the construction of the fabric or applied later, a flame-retardant designation is designed to last for the lifespan of the fabric. Smart homeowners should inquire whether or not their fabric choice is flame resistant.


If you wish to use any of these highly flammable fabrics, be certain that these materials have received a flame-retardant treatment before including them in your home decorating scheme. If you have already suffered a home fire, do not hesitate to contact a restoration specialist to assist with the remodeling of your personal sanctuary.