[RE-wrenches] Snowman Armed with Solar Powered Flamethrower

[Matt Lafferty]

Uh, oh!  Frosty's got a flamethrower!  Interesting application for solar
concentrator disguised as snowman... 
 
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09073.html
 
Hallmark Recalls Jumbo Snow Globes Due to Fire Hazard

 

Name of Product: Jumbo Snowman Snow Globes

Units: 7,000

Importer: Hallmark Cards Inc., of Kansas City, Mo.

Hazard: When exposed to sunlight, the snow globes can act as a magnifying
glass and ignite nearby combustible materials, posing a fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Hallmark has received two reports of the snow globes
igniting nearby materials. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves a Hallmark Jumbo Snow Globe in the shape
of a snowman with model number 1XAG5093 and UPC code 795902066666. The snow
globe measures 11 by 12 by 17 inches. The model number and the UPC code can
be found on the back of the hangtag.

Sold at: Hallmark Gold Crown stores nationwide from October 2008 through
November 2008 for about $100.

Manufactured in: China (Redacted to preserve international relations)

Remedy: Consumers should immediately remove the snow globe from exposure to
sunlight and return it to any Hallmark Gold Crown store for a full refund.
(Shouldn't they put the fire out, first?)

 
I think the NFPA should do something about this sort of thing... Perhaps
another Code?  Training for fire-fighters on how to recognize disguised
ignition sources around the home and office?  Just how many feet of
clearance does a snowman need?  And what is the classification for this
space?  Should automatic fire extinguishing systems be required?  Is there a
limit to the number of snowmen that should be allowed to congregate during
daytime hours?  Maybe the Department of Homeland Spying needs to be involved
as well.
 
Can you imagine the horror in the mind of the designer when (s)he found out
Frosty has a mean streak?  
 

 
 
I'm thinking up uses for 7,000 of these.  Should be able to get a deal on
them, eh?  I'm coming up with things like: A unique solar cooker,
igloo-heaters, going-away presents for Bush administration, practical joke
gag-gift, thing to leave on your boss' desk when you get laid off, CEO/CFO
bonus gift... Any other ideas?
 
Pray for Sun!
 
Matt Lafferty
gilligan06 at gmail.com
 
 
 
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org/attachments/20090111/a42331bf/attachment-0002.html>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: Outlook.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 30840 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org/attachments/20090111/a42331bf/attachment-0002.jpg>