Many are heading outdoors to enjoy this summer-like weather in their backyards. Before you take a match to your citronella candles or tiki torches check the label first to avoid severe burns.
Candles, tiki torches, and firepots that contain citronella pourable gels or oils can explode if not used correctly. The products were recalled last summer but some people still have them.
Dr. Matthew Sullivan says the old saying, "Stop drop and roll" doesn't work with a gel fuel explosion,"This is a gel material. It's sort of similar to Napalm it would stick to you and continue to burn on your skin as opposed to a liquid."
Donna Joyner, an RN with the Trauma and Burn Center at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center says they saw a number of severe burns from the gel last summer, "Having this thing that is wickless they can't really see the flame and so it's hard to tell that it hasn't gone out so they refuel it and that's when it explodes."
Willie Higgins doesn't like the gel fuels, "It doesn't seem like it would be all that safe because the hotter it gets the more fumes it produces."
Higgins has a hawaiian oasis in his back yard filled with tiki torches and safety precautions, "I have two extinguishers just inside the garage. Nothing's too far away that it can't be accessed within 3 minutes."
Summer officially kicks off this Wednesday. When pulling out the candles and even the tiki torches make sure they do not contain gel fuels. If they do contact the manufacturer immediately."
To put the fire out use a dry chemical extinguisher or baking soda.
