Here's a safety PSA for you (seriously).

[LeftyFingerPop]

This time of year, a lot of people start getting cabin fever because of the cold weather. So, they tend to take on an "inside" project to keep them busy.

Some people will do work in their basements, for example, they may refinish furniture.

This may involve the use of mineral spirits or other flammable chemicals.

Many people think that it is OK to use this stuff in their basements, as long as they open up the windows to get some ventilation.

Very bad mistake.

The fumes from a lot of these chemicals will crawl along the floor, despite the fact that you have the windows opened.

Once your basement furnace ignites, it is highly possible that this will cause an explosion.

If you must do work like this in the winter, do it in your garage, near the overhead door, with the door wide open.

If it is too cold, wait until spring.

[Call Me Wesley]

1. That's an urban legend.

Flammable chemicals only ignite if you bring them to a boiling point in a pan on your stove first, then light them up with a laserpointer. Fumes do not crawl along floors, fumes evaporate.

And if your furnace sparkles when it ignites, it's time to get a new one. Otherwise, the high-electric spark-beam (or as we call it, 'Arc of death',) can catch on you and make your hair stand up. A cage will help to prevent this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zi4kXgDBFhw

[LeftyFingerPop]

3. You know, you could have at least let me have a little fun with my thread...

OF COURSE you have to bring flammable chemicals to a boiling point and light them with a laserpointer before they ignite! Most people know this, and I was hoping to suck in the people who don't.

That is why I am never afraid to smoke a cigarette while pumping gas.

As far as the video...is that the cage that Skinner makes you go into to toughen you up before you are allowed to post in GD??? I've heard about that cage...

:D :hi:

[Call Me Wesley]

6. And you even need a strong laserpointer,

nothing under 2000MW would do it, anyway.

And yes, while posting in GD stuff like 'Obama sucks! I love Obama! I'm going Rogue! Lieberman! Palin! Palin! Lieberman! Harry Reid!' a Faraday cage may give you some basic protection. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqvImbn9GG4

Or use your normal tinfoil hat. Just remember 7/11!

:hi:

[Patiod]

2. Excellent advice

About 20 years ago, a large skyscraper in center city Philadelphia burned, killing firefighters.

The cause? People refinishing wood, and the rags caught fire. Fortunately it was over a weekend, keeping the death toll far below what it might have been. But still. That stuff is REALLY flammable.

(True story: a HS friend worked at a pizza joing he knew was owned by the mafia. It blew up, and the arsonists along with it, when they broke in one night and were in the midst of spreading gasoline all over the floor. Hint: don't spread gasoline in a place where the major appliances have pilot lights)

[LeftyFingerPop]

4. Yes, the rags are horrendously flammable...

When I refinish furniture in my garage, I throw the rags in my driveway overnight to let them dry out. Then, I'll put them in two layers of airtight plastic bags before disposing of them.

I'm sorry to hear about the building in Philly and the pizza joint.

[Dr. Strange]

5. That's an urban legend.

There's no such thing as cabin fever. It's all psychosomatic. Usually this is due to not watching enough television.