Flex Seal Rubber Spray paints, varnishes or shellacs

The reports, as CPSC published them

1. Hospital admission

   Made May 11, 2019 · , sent to the company May 23, 2019 · , published by CPSC Jun 7, 2019

   The product, in the report: 14 oz aerosole can of Flex Seal Rubber Spray. Product advertisied on TV and sold through numerous retail outlets. This product was ordered from Amazon

   MEMO TO THE FILE 04/17/2019

   EVENT TIME LINE AND INFORMATION RELATING TO FIRE EXPLOSION FROM FLEX SEAL RUBBER SPRAY SEALANT For

   This event occurred on Monday, April 15, 2019 at approximately 3:00 pm at the residence of Background to Event: We have a large flower pot in our back yard which is used for a water feature. Over the years on a couple occasions we have sprayed the inside of the pot with a rubberized spray substance from an aerosol can. This has worked out well to ensure that there were no leaks from the pot. Over the winter we store the pot in the back yard location in an upside down configuration. (No water inside). I decided this year to apply a secondary coat of the well advertised FLEX SEAL rubberized spray to the interior of the flower pot. I ordered two 14 oz cans of FLEX SEAL from Amazon which was received on or about April 14, 2019. This product was stored in my inside garage area until April 15, 2019, the day that we were to use it. On the day of use the weather was clear and there was sunshine with temperatures in the 60’s. The flower pot was positioned completely in the open area in my rear yard – nothing around it but space. There was no metal, electronic equipment or anything around that could possibly cause an ignition spark. Subsequently, on the above event day I opened the top of one of the 14 oz cans and began to spray the interior of the pot. About 30 seconds into the spray operation (estimated) there was a loud pop sound coupled with a spontaneous combustion continuous fire flash which burned my face, arms and hair. Alarmed and with total shock, my normal reflex moved me away from the pot as I attempted to brush away the fire from my face & hair. My wife relates that my face and hair was covered in a black substance. In concert with this I observed that the fire continued burning in an open flame manner for approximately 30 – 45 seconds - then went out. My wife was working in the yard approximately 15 ft from where the incident occurred and in open view of the incident. She immediately came to help. Moreover, my neighbor, [REDACTED] had just come out into his yard and observed, as he has recently related, that my face was burned, plus my normally white hair was now yellow. Upon examination I discovered that my eye lashes were singed off, eye brows burned, hair burned, both arms were burned with first and second degree burns along with blisters on my fingers and arm, my complete face, forehead and hair were damaged beyond belief with first and second degree burns. I have very white hair and now as earlier related – it was yellow. I immediately came into the home and took a quick very cold face shower to help alleviate some of the burning. We then chose to go to the Chattanooga CHI Memorial Primary Care office, [REDACTED]. Upon arriving at the front desk they took a quick look (we never register in) and were told to go to the Memorial North Park Emergency Room. Afterward, not realizing our danger, we visited the Physicians Care office at [REDACTED] and were, (without registering in) were also instructed to get to the Emergency Room. In a state of fright we grasp that our problem was very severe. We then went to the Memorial North Park Emergency room where we were seen very quickly by a [REDACTED]. He did some of the preliminary testing and gave me shots for pain. By this time the burning in the face and arm was crushing. However, the pain shots were most helpful. After a brief period of time [REDACTED] said we have a lot to talk about I will be back shortly. He came back into the room sat down with my wife and me, once more stating we need to have a serious talk. He was concerned about the face being damaged therefore, was fearful that the airway passages could be affected as swelling would most certainly occur. After our talk we followed his recommendations and he made arrangements for me to be transported via Memorial Hospital ambulance to the UAB Burn Center in Birmingham,AL Some 2.5 hours later we arrived at a waiting Trauma center at the facility where I was triaged and sent on to the burn floor. I arrived at my room in the burn center around midnight. During the night multiple medical people along with attendants came in at all hours to do tests, take blood and multiple other functions. Approximately, 3:00 a.m. an eye doctor came in and did an examination of my eyes –several tests were involved. He did notice some, what seemed to be, burn residue in both my eyes apparently originated from the fire incident - he then proceed to irrigate both eyes. Moving forward, a large amount of personalized care followed incorporating a steady flow of medical people entering and performing various medical burn functions. I was on an IV drip bag continually. On Tuesday mid - morning April 16, 2019 the burn surgeon and his team of about six people came into see me, after conversation he proceeded to communicate he was going to be able to release me to come home. Moreover, detailed instructions were communicated for wound care, along with scheduling a one week follow up appointment for a return visit to the burn clinic in Birmingham. Upon the doctor telling me he would release me that evening, I called my wife and she drove down the Birmingham to pick me up. We arrived back home in Chattanooga, Tennessee late evening. My face was saturated with [REDACTED] ointment and I was very, very tired, and after taking 1000 mg of acetaminophen went to bed and rested fairly well. The Burn Center provided me with clear instruction for how to continue caring for the burns. In addition, since we lived 2.5 hours from Birmingham, AL they told me it would be ok to transfer patient care to my local medical provider – too wanted me to have a follow up eye exam with my local eye doctor. I was given prescriptions for pain and double antibiotic ointment ([REDACTED]) accompanied by instructions to thickly apply three times each day to the burn wounds - arms and face. Additionally, they provided me with a supply of [REDACTED], 4”x4” Gauze pads, tongue blades (for applying the medicine) and tape. ________________________________________

   Model

   Flex Seal Liquid Rubber Sealant Coating

   UPC

   8 555647 00301 9

   Bought from

   Amazon

   Bought

   Apr 13, 2019

   Where

   HIXSON, Tennessee: Home/Apartment/Condominium

   Who was involved

   Age 80, Male

   The reporter’s relation to them

   Unspecified

   As this report names them

   Brand Flex Seal Rubber Spray, made or sold by Swift Maintenance Products, Inc (Swift Response)

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   Injury, Hospital Admission

CPSC’s disclaimer

Sources