SAFETY REMINDER: When aerosol cans are placed near a heat
source, such as stove top, the pressurized cans CAN quickly explode with INJURIOUS
OR potentially deadly force
Most aerosol cans contain several ounces of a propellant (carbon
dioxide, propane or butane), typically three to fine oz. More precisely, the aerosol cans contain
10-15% propellant by weight.
If punctured, contents may be released so forcefully that injuries could
result. High or extreme temperatures may
cause cans to rupture. A recent incident
in Chicago, IL illustrates the danger posed by these products. So be careful out there. Although now is winter in the states, make
sure you remove cans (such as WD-40) from your vehicle during the summer
months, as the heat can cause the cans to explode.
It goes beyond saying that there have been instances where the aerosol can exploded without being subjected to exterior source of heat or puncture. The cans simply exploded because they were defective or their bottoms had been rusted.
USA, ILL, CHICAGO, NOVEMBER 22 2014. 4 INJURED IN AEROSOL CAN BLAST
AT MACY'S IN CHICAGO'S LOOP. AEROSOL CAN
RUPTURED IN THE KITCHEN DEMO AREA, OFFICIALS SAID
Four employees were injured Friday morning, on November 22,
2014 when an aerosol can ruptured during preparations for an employee breakfast
at Macy's in Chicago's Loop, fire officials said. Four employees were injured Friday morning
when an aerosol can ruptured during preparations for an employee breakfast at
Macy's in Chicago's Loop, fire officials said. The can got too close to a heating element at
the store at 111 N. State St. and exploded, Field Chief Elliott Belez said. The store had not opened yet, and there were
no customers in the building. "The can apparently overheated and it
exploded, "Belez said. A woman was
taken to John H Stroger Jr. Hospital with facial burns, and three men were
transported to Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Three of the employees were later released and
"are doing fine, " according to a Macy's spokeswoman.
"An accident happened where an aerosol can ruptured,"
store spokeswoman Andrea Schwartz said in a statement. "No harm has been
done to the building and the store is operating normally." Fire officials initially cited a "cooking
incident with propane" but later clarified that no propane was involved. The woman was seen being taken from the store
with towels on her face. Schwartz
confirmed the incident occurred in the lower-level demonstration kitchen. "Four associates were injured in an
accident related to a cooking event on the lower level pre-store opening,"
Schwartz said. "The accident is currently under investigation. No customers were injured as the store was not
open at the time. The store is open and
operating normally." The Chicago Fire Department cited Macy's for
violating safety protocols.
