Crime & Safety

San Ramon Valley Fire Reminds Residents of Oily Rag Danger

If not properly handled, oily rags after a wood-finishing project could lead to a fire.

From San Ramon Valley Fire

San Ramon Valley Fire would like to remind resident to be cautious when disposing of oily rags after using them to complete wood-finishing or other household projects. 

Properly drying the rags prior to throwing them away will eliminate the possibility of fire through spontaneous combustion. According to the NFPA on average over 14,000 spontaneous combustion fires are reported each year and cause millions of dollars in damage.

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(Note: A fire in Danville earlier this month was likely caused by an oily rag.)

If you are planning to stain your deck or refinish furniture this weekend, please protect you and your family by following these simple tips. Anytime you have an oily rag left over from a project, hang it up to dry, outdoors.  You can use a clothesline or fence, be sure to hang each rag individually and avoid piling them on top of each other. 

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If you must dry them indoors be sure to keep them away from heat sources such as water heaters or furnaces. As always follow the manufacturer’s directions on proper use, storage and disposal


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