Are you ready for the tricks and treats of Halloween? We hope your All Hallows’ Eve is filled with spooks and spirits. Before you embark on your ghostly adventure let’s make sure you’re taking proper safety precautions. Fire hazards pose a significant risk on Halloween. In fact, 10,300 fires were reported in the United States […]
Tag Archives: Flame Retardants
Important fire safety tips from NAFRA during Fire Prevention Week
Fires have always posed a serious risk and continue to represent a very real danger in the United States. Fire departments respond to a fire every 25 seconds and fire is a real risk that disproportionately impacts vulnerable populations such as the elderly and children.[1] This is why the National Fire Protection Association’s Fire Prevention […]
NAFRA and Rebuilding Together partner on “Celebrate Safely” campaign to increase holiday fire safety
Home fires unfortunately jump each winter holiday season. The numbers are stark: approximately 150,000 fires occur this time of year, claiming 630 lives and $936 million in property damage. Home candle fires occur most frequently on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. In response to the increase number of fires during the holidays, […]
The many ‘spooktacular’ ways chemistry contributes to Halloween fun and safety
Got your costume for Halloween yet? Whether you’re a zombie or a princess, passing out candies at home or masquerading at a party, safety should play an important role in festivity planning for October 31. Chemistry is very much ingrained in and beneficial to those safety plans. Many Halloween safety tips from scientific and health […]
ACC champions transparency in flame retardant debate
Tim Shestek, senior director of State Affairs at the American Chemistry Council (ACC), testified June 24 before the California Assembly Committee on Business, Professions and Consumer Products on Senate Bill 1019 (also known as SB 1019), legislation that would require manufacturers of upholstered furniture to indicate whether their products sold in the state contain flame […]
NAFRA sends letter to Kaiser Permanente urging it to reconsider new furniture standard that puts patients at risk
Kaiser Permanente announced on June 3 that it would cease purchasing furniture for its facilities that contain flame retardants. Kaiser Permanente is one of the country’s largest not-for-profit health plans, with over 9 million members and hundreds of facilities, which is why the decision is so troubling. Patients are among the most vulnerable populations in […]
NFPA’s open flame test, once developed, will become an important fire prevention resource
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recently announced that its Standards Council has approved the development of a test for open-flame sources, such as candles, matches and lighters. This announcement is a step in the right direction. We have every reason to believe that the test will give furniture manufacturers a clear marker for determining […]
Misinformation fuels misplaced concerns over flame retardants
Recent media events have focused on debates about fire safety standards and flame retardants. The North American Flame Retardant Alliance (NAFRA)—a group strongly committed to improving fire safety—welcomes an open public discussion on the facts about these important compounds that help keep Americans out of harm’s way. Unfortunately, the heightened interest in fire safety has […]
Dr. Oz does disservice to family safety by using scare tactics, not science, on show
In the most recent example of misinformation about flame retardants, the “Dr. Oz Show” hosted the producers of the HBO docudrama, “Toxic Hot Seat.” In an earlier blog posting we discussed many of the misleading claims the docudrama makes about flame retardants, but in light of the discussion that took place with Dr. Oz, we […]
Canadian government says flame retardant not harmful to human health at current levels
The Canadian government recently completed and published its health and environmental assessment of the flame retardant TBBPA, which is included in printed circuit boards and provides a critical layer of fire protection for consumers. The Canadian assessment concludes that TBBPA and two other derivatives based on TBBPA, do not meet any of the criteria for […]
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