Fire in the night
- Thread starter My Old Tools
- Start date
Even though it didn't cause much damage, get a fire report done on it. It covers your *** in case something happens in the future...wiring issue and compiles a report that may help create a recall for those things.
BTW, got smoke detectors ?
BTW, got smoke detectors ?
pancho400cid
Well-known member
Wow. Scary. Glad things weren't worse!
rlitman
Well-known member
Around here, I've seen Servpro use lots of a rubbery sponge that removes soot. They used to be sold in box stores as the Gonzo Wonder Sponge.
These are the same idea:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000209Z2C/?tag=atomicindus08-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000I1VALY/?tag=atomicindus08-20
You use them dry, and they lift soot from all sorts of surfaces. They're really good at removing the black layer that coats the brick around your fireplace for example. When they're all sooted up, you can wash them, let them dry, and use again.
These are the same idea:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000209Z2C/?tag=atomicindus08-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000I1VALY/?tag=atomicindus08-20
You use them dry, and they lift soot from all sorts of surfaces. They're really good at removing the black layer that coats the brick around your fireplace for example. When they're all sooted up, you can wash them, let them dry, and use again.
benjamintmiller
Well-known member
You should send these pictures and a description of what happened to the CPSC (https://cpsc.gov).
It takes a surprisingly small amount of incidents before they will force a recall, and even one "thermal event" (as engineers sometimes call them) is too many for a product such as this.
It takes a surprisingly small amount of incidents before they will force a recall, and even one "thermal event" (as engineers sometimes call them) is too many for a product such as this.
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OP
My Old Tools
Well-known member
I'm talking with the company first. If they push back on making it right including cleanup, then I contact everybody and every social media outlet.
captain14
Well-known member
How did you discover the fire? I hope your smoke Detector sounded to wake you up.
How old Are your smoke detectors?
The average life span is usually 10 years and the technology has greatly changed since then.
10 year lithium battery smoke detectors are the way to go!
How old Are your smoke detectors?
The average life span is usually 10 years and the technology has greatly changed since then.
10 year lithium battery smoke detectors are the way to go!
Jinks
Well-known member
I don't care what Sonicare says, that's NOT going to make your teeth whiter!..
Good luck with the clean up!
Good luck with the clean up!Battery or plug in? I usually leave all small appliances (toasters, shavers, etc) unplugged unless I'm using them. I only charge things while I'm awake and around too.
Just lucky you didn't lose your house because of this.
Just lucky you didn't lose your house because of this.
krcoomer
Well-known member
Scary thing is my Oral B takes about 24 hours to fully charge. I am barely home enough to do that.
OP: Please share what the outcome is. As Nutts said, go ahead and get the fire report in case you have problems with the company on getting something out of it. I would pull the receptacle and check the wires. Any charring would add an electrical inspection to the bill I sent the manufacturer.
That's scary Ross, I'm glad it didn't get worse. It'll be interesting to see what happens here. Either they blow you off and tell you to pound sand (which for us will be fun to see what you do and where it goes) or they pay you off and make you sign a non disclosure agreement which is what I bet they do.
Good luck, Cam
Good luck, Cam
ford33
Well-known member
Yes, report it to the cpsc and get a fire report.
It is scary to think my tooth brush could kill me!
It is scary to think my tooth brush could kill me!
That is scary. Good suggestions here. Good luck with the whole process resolution.
And, not to hijack the original question of cleanup, but does anyone have a suggestion for a device that would prevent a meltdown like this? I have a lot of plug-in, charge devices (including an electric/electronic toothbrush).
And, not to hijack the original question of cleanup, but does anyone have a suggestion for a device that would prevent a meltdown like this? I have a lot of plug-in, charge devices (including an electric/electronic toothbrush).
Mr_P
Well-known member
Ole Slewfoot
Well-known member
What is a BMS (Battery Monitoring System)
-a small computer which watched every cell in the pack, keeps them balanced watches for overheat, and can command the charger.
You will find a pretty half-arsed one on better power tools.
pepi
Well-known member
How OLD is the product .....?
Warrenator
Well-known member
I am non-specifically careful to put devices being charged on a hard inflammable surface like tile rather than on a bed or whatever. I bet if your toofbrush had been next to a box of kleenex or washcloth or something it coulda been much worse.
As for cleaning soot, I like simple green and a wet towel, or one of those steam cleaners. The "magic eraser" sponges referred to above would probably do it too on painted walls... also known as melamine sponges.
Reminds me, I gotta replace some smoke detectors. My wife knocked down the last one with a broom handle at 3 am when it beeped low battery. (She is not very sensible when she is sleepy and mad.)
As for cleaning soot, I like simple green and a wet towel, or one of those steam cleaners. The "magic eraser" sponges referred to above would probably do it too on painted walls... also known as melamine sponges.
Reminds me, I gotta replace some smoke detectors. My wife knocked down the last one with a broom handle at 3 am when it beeped low battery. (She is not very sensible when she is sleepy and mad.)
weadjust
Well-known member
A quick google of "Phillips Sonicare toothbrush fire" brings up a previous incident on Reddit. The photo of the toothbrush is really big when I tried to post it. If someone can resize the photo it can be found in the link below.
https://www.reddit.com/r/WTF/comments/2l6bc2/i_thought_my_house_was_on_fire_just_my_toothbrush/#bottom-comments
https://www.reddit.com/r/WTF/comments/2l6bc2/i_thought_my_house_was_on_fire_just_my_toothbrush/#bottom-comments
Hopefully, this is the photo of which you speak.
Attachments
OP
My Old Tools
Well-known member
This one is a rechargeable that charges by sitting on the base without an electrical connection to the base, inductive charging. The toothbrush itself is completely charred like a charcole briquette. The base is merely melted. I would assume that means the batteries were the culprit. It was at least 5 years old. Philips has taken the report and pictures and has said they'll get back to me ASAP. Yes, we were lucky it was a granite countertop. The damage isn't bad, the soot is a pain. We had ServePro come out for an estimate. Should have that Monday. We'll see how it all goes.
How were you awakened? We have one of those.
I'd also report it to the CPSC. I reported a crib a long time ago and they came out and there was later a recall. My youngest broke a sliding mechanism which was plastic on a $450 crib. The company, Simmons, made in USA, was very rude about a replacement part and when it finally came the part was now metal. But they had failed to notify people who already had the crib. This son graduate high school this spring. I used to say he could break even Fisher Price toys. (He could) He should have been a toy tester.
I'd also report it to the CPSC. I reported a crib a long time ago and they came out and there was later a recall. My youngest broke a sliding mechanism which was plastic on a $450 crib. The company, Simmons, made in USA, was very rude about a replacement part and when it finally came the part was now metal. But they had failed to notify people who already had the crib. This son graduate high school this spring. I used to say he could break even Fisher Price toys. (He could) He should have been a toy tester.
OP
My Old Tools
Well-known member
I just woke up and smelled it. The way our HVAC is setup, it was pulling the smoke away from the bedroom smoke detector. I'll be adding one in the bathroom.
dsanchezanny
Member
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2017
- Messages
- 8
Scary stuff, just removed the batteries to a smoke and carbon monoxide detector this morning cause the batteries were low. Gonna make sure to replace them in the morning
krcoomer
Well-known member
I have seen so many who need smoke detectors in this thread and seeing a post like this reminds us to check and change the batteries. Our county code requires either hardwired or 10 year lithium smoke detectors for transferred property or rentals. I saw the lithium ones at Costco for about $10-15 each. Cheap insurance.
As for adding one in the bathroom, you might want to check with the manufacturer about that. I believe the humidity can alter performance. I know a few firefighters have been watching this thread who may weigh in if I am incorrect.
As for adding one in the bathroom, you might want to check with the manufacturer about that. I believe the humidity can alter performance. I know a few firefighters have been watching this thread who may weigh in if I am incorrect.