A container terminal in Tianjin Binhai New Area exploded. As of 18:00 on the 13th, the accident has resulted in 50 deaths; 701 people are hospitalized, including 71 severely injured. Rescue efforts are still ongoing.
Although explosions in chemical warehouses are serious hazards, they are not common. On the contrary, some common sources of explosions in daily life are more worthy of attention. Here, we specifically list the 7 most common sources of explosions that deserve vigilance.
Expired gas cylinders
Explosions caused by gas cylinders are the most common and often result in serious injuries. There are generally four reasons for gas cylinder explosions:
First, the gas cylinder is accidentally heated, causing rapid expansion of the gas inside, resulting in excessive pressure and explosion.
Second, over-inflation. Generally, when filling gas cylinders, the filling should not exceed 85% of their capacity. If overfilled, the risk of explosion significantly increases when the cylinder is exposed to sunlight or heat.
Third, in winter, some residents use hot water to scald the bottom of the cylinder to make the fire burn stronger, which can easily cause an explosion and is a common cause of gas cylinder explosions in winter.
Fourth, gas cylinders that have exceeded their service life, lack maintenance and repair, can explode with slight exposure to high temperatures, pressure, or impact. Jia Dacheng pointed out that using qualified gas cylinders produced by regular manufacturers, regular inspections and maintenance, refusing to use expired cylinders, and avoiding improper use can effectively prevent gas cylinder explosions. If you smell gas when cooking, be alert and stop using it temporarily.
Friendly reminder: Currently, the gas pipelines used by many households are relatively safe, but it is best to install an alarm and cooperate with staff to regularly check for gas leaks to prevent explosions caused by high levels of carbon monoxide indoors when encountering an open flame.
Unclean pressure cookers
The main reasons for pressure cooker explosions are exceeding the safe usage period and lack of attention to cleaning. Once the pressure relief valve and float valve are blocked, the pressure inside the pot can become too high and cause an explosion.Suggestion: Whether it is a traditional pressure cooker or an electric pressure cooker, the usage period is around 6-8 years. If the pot body is deformed or rusted, it should be discarded immediately. Before use, check the pressure relief valve and float valve and clean them if blocked. Do not fill the pot with too much food, and ensure that the lid is properly sealed. After removing from heat, wait for the pot to cool down completely before removing the pressure relief valve and opening the lid.
Lighters in hot cars
Many smokers carry lighters with them. In the hot summer, if a lighter is left in the car, it may explode and even ignite the entire vehicle. Jia Dacheng explained that under the sunlight, the temperature inside the car can reach above 60℃, causing the liquid butane inside the lighter to expand and the shell unable to withstand the internal pressure, leading to an explosion.
The fire department has conducted experiments: under the scorching sun, a lighter left in the car will explode after 12 minutes. At the moment of the explosion, a large amount of gas is sprayed out, and the plastic shell explodes into fragments, posing a significant danger.
Experts suggest not to leave lighters in the car, and it is best to keep lighters at a cool place at home. In addition, products that are prone to explode in high temperatures, such as perfumes, batteries, insect repellents, power banks, and carbonated drinks, should not be placed in the car.
Microwave used for boiling water
Do not overheat plain water in the microwave, as when water is heated in a microwave, it does not flow and only increases in temperature. It is possible for the temperature to exceed the boiling point without boiling. However, even a slight movement when picking up the cup can trigger a violent boiling or even an explosion. When heating liquids, the time should not be too long, preferably within 2 minutes.
It is important to note that microwave heating occurs from the inside to the outside. Foods like eggs, quail eggs, sausages with crispy skin, and unpeeled potatoes, which are similar to "wearing clothes", expand internally during heating, but the shell blocks the expansion of gas, causing an explosion. When heating such foods in the microwave, it is best to make a cut or poke a hole to facilitate the release of steam.
Old hot water bottles
In the cold winter, a warm hot water bottle is a "treasure" for many people, but if not used properly, it can cause explosions and burn injuries. The common cause of hot water bottle explosions resulting in scalds is that after filling with hot water, the hot water bottle expands rapidly. If the hot water bottle itself is relatively old, it is more prone to rupture and explosion.
Experts suggest considering replacement after using a hot water bottle for two to three years. If there are slight cracks on the surface, it should be discarded immediately. During use, it is best not to pour boiling water into the hot water bottle. The water temperature should be around 50℃ to avoid scalding. Fill the hot water bottle to about 2/3 of its capacity and remove any air before tightening the cap.
Undesignated electric warmers
Electric warmers are more convenient than hot water bottles and are favored by more people. However, incidents of explosions and burns due to improper use of electric warmers are not uncommon. Lu Jianguo told reporters that electric warmers can be divided into electrode-type, electric heating tube-type, and flexible heating wire-type based on their heating elements.
Electrode-type electric warmers are the most dangerous and have been prohibited from production by the state, but they are still sold by illegal businesses. Electric heating tube-type electric warmers generally do not explode, but they have a poor feel and a shorter lifespan, about 1 year. Flexible heating wire-type electric warmers have a comfortable feel and a longer lifespan, making them the preferred choice for purchase.
Experts remind consumers to identify electric warmers by kneading. If the body of the warmer is soft, it is a flexible heating wire-type. If there are hard lumps or objects when kneading, it is an electrode-type or electric heating tube-type. It is recommended to purchase products from regular manufacturers and avoid buying "three-no" (no brand, no manufacturer, no electrical parameter labeling) products for the sake of cheapness.
Squeezed power banks
Bringing a power bank when going out or traveling can avoid many "power outage" troubles. However, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China has conducted quality monitoring of the domestic power bank market and found that all power banks have more or less safety risks. Some products may experience internal short circuits due to external influences such as squeezing or impact, which can cause self-ignition or explosion.Friendly reminder: When purchasing power banks, pay attention to the following:
First, try to buy from regular channels and avoid purchasing products without brand, model, manufacturer, and electrical parameter labeling.
Second, carefully inspect the appearance during selection, as inferior products have rough workmanship.
Third, if the temperature of the power bank is abnormally high, quickly place it in a container with certain fire and explosion resistance and keep it away from people.
