A Plug-in type room fresheners caused a home fires. Their house burnt down.. nothing left but ashes. The homeowners have good insurance so the house will be replaced and most of the contents. That is the good news. However, they were sick when they found out the cause of the fire.

The insurance investigator sifted through the ashes for several hours. He had the cause of the fire traced to the master bathroom. He asked her sister-in-law what she had plugged in the bathroom. She listed the normal things...curling iron, blow dryer.  He kept saying to her, 'No, this would be something that would disintegrate at high temperatures'.. Then her sister-in-law remembered she had a  plug in fragrance device , in the bathroom.

The investigator had one of those 'Aha' moments. He said that was the cause of the fire.

He said he has seen more house fires started with the plug-in type room fresheners than anything else. He said the plastic they are made from is THIN. He also said that in every case there was nothing left to prove that it even existed. When the investigator looked in the wall plug, the two prongs left from the plug-in were still in there.

Her sister-in-law had one of the plug-ins that had a small night light built in it. She said she had noticed that the light would dim and then finally go out. She would walk in to the bathroom a few hours later, and the light would be back on again.

The investigator said that the unit was getting too hot, and would dim and go out rather than just blow the light bulb. Once it cooled down it would come back on. That is a warning sign

The investigator said he personally wouldn't have any type of plug in fragrance device anywhere in his house. He has seen too many places that have been burned down due to them.

 

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Star Posted by Frank Laisch "The Insurance Guy" on 03/19/2013 04:22 AM   Comments (51)   Safety Tips in the ActiveRain Channel   plugin type room fresheners causes home fires  
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51 Comments on plug-in type room fresheners causes home fires

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

MAR
19
1 Featured Post Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I didn't know the potential danger associated with these products! Thanks for writing about this. I'll have to maybe switch or just keep a much better eye on them and let others know.
3:02pm • #33
315,303 Points 5 Featured Posts Called Shot Master
Yikes! Better to be safe than sorry, I say. :) If you must use; use only when at home, having company over etc. Then unplug!!
3:44pm • #34
280,587 Points 14 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Thank you all for the great comments. There could be many variables in these situations, like a power surge, faulty wiring or a bad outlet. as you know anything is possible.......
5:36pm • #35
905,168 Points 21 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
Frank, what a story and scary as well! It makes me wonder why these devices don't come with a warning label.
6:07pm • #36
444,511 Points 70 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Frank, I have been hearing this and have wondered why aren't they outlawed? There are so many other choices.
8:16pm • #37
466,170 Points 50 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Thanks to Christine #22 and Alan #24 that plugin air fresheners may not be as much of a fire hazard. Plugin air fresheners are popular with homeowners. My personal favorite, Yankee Candle brand makes terrific scents for the holidays. Perhaps plugging directly in to a GFCI outlet will minimize burning the house down.  Thanks for your post today,
10:10pm • #38
MAR
20
1,345,422 Points 71 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

wow, I had never heard of this one before but am certainly going to reblog it!!!
6:16am • #39
292,728 Points 66 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Frank, There maybe another issue with these that is not related to fire. Many of these air fresheners may not be that good for you.

http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/household-safety/tips/air-freshener-dangers.htm
8:07am • #40
125,832 Points

I wonder if any of these have a UL or other rating on them? I know an electrician that talks about how many melted power strips he's seen.
11:01am • #41
MAR
21
897,048 Points 35 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Scary, Frank. But great information.
4:56am • #42
1,345,422 Points 71 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I have already scared the hell out of a couple of people with this information. They promised to NEVER use plug-ins again!!!!!!!
5:28am • #43
591,834 Points 17 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master
Hi Frank, Whether the information is true or not, it makes sense and is enough to make me never use them again. I like to buy the pull up Glade Air Fresheners and they work great during open houses. Put two or three fruity one in the house and everyone walks in going "Umm it smells so good in here". I read some of the other comments and I used to buy the one that had the gel oil that you put in the sides and plugged in. Now I read where they were recalled. That is scary. I am just sticking to pull ups.
6:45am • #44
585,592 Points 46 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Good morning Frank -

Who knew that a plug-in type room fresheners caused a home fires.  I'm going to make sure my bride is fully aware of this fact.  She has them in our home and keeps a refill supply on hand at all times.  Makes the house smell good but not worth the risk!
7:08am • #45
987,989 Points 49 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Frank - I've heard this before and see them everyday when I show homes.
4:54pm • #46
MAR
22
985,607 Points 80 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Frank, I quit using them years ago for this very reason...............great post.
4:00am • #47
877,076 Points 48 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I use the Scentsy ones. Have you heard anything about them? Thanks for sharing this danger with us. 
4:03am • #48
544,696 Points 120 Featured Posts Called Shot Master
Frank. Wow. I hate the smell of those things and now i can tell my friends how dangerous they are. Thanks.
4:08am • #49
1,911,854 Points 385 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Frank, wow!  Who knew?  I don't like them because they usually smell worse than whatever they are supposed to cover up.
7:28am • #50
1,210,622 Points 118 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I with Patricia on this one. Had no idea that they can cause fire. Really, who in their sound mind would do it? Thanks for the tip
4:04pm • #51
MAR
28
434,921 Points 18 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Frank- This is scary. i have a couple of these or should I say HAD...
4:39am • #52

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