Oily Rags--Spontaneous Combustion: Beware of Creating a Fire Hazard

Picture this: It's time to cut the lawn again. You go into the garage to get your mower ready. You check the 
mower's oil level and see that it needs some engine oil. So you pour in some oil and wipe up the minor spillage with an old rag. Then you toss the rag into a pail, wheel the lawnmower out of the garage, and proceed to cut the grass.
 
What's Wrong with This Picture?
If you're thinking that the oily rag you tossed into the pail might be the problem, you're right. Something as 
seemingly harmless as tossing an oily rag aside and forgetting about it can ignite a big problem for you. That's 
because of a phenomenon called spontaneous combustion.
 
What Is Spontaneous Combustion?
The Encyclopedia Britannica defines spontaneous combustion as the outbreak of fire without application of heat from an external source. This combustion can occur when flammable matter like oily rags, damp hay, leaves, or coal is stored in bulk. Spontaneous combustion, sometimes referred to as spontaneous ignition, begins when a combustible object is heated to its ignition temperature by a slow oxidation process. Oxidation is a chemical reaction involving the oxygen in the air around us gradually raising the inside temperature of something (like a pile of rags) to the point at which a fire starts.
 
Spontaneous Combustion Can Cause Fires
While spontaneous combustion isn't a common occurrence, it can be disastrous. Spontaneous combustion causes major fire losses each year. One of the most common scenarios is when floors or woodwork are being refinished and stain-soaked rags are left in a heap on the floor. Something as simple as not storing these rags properly can cause major fire damage.
 
In fact, the way combustible materials are stored has a lot to do with whether or not they'll spontaneously 
 combust. For example, while an oil-soaked rag stored in a pail could heat up enough to burst into flames, the same oily rag laid flat to dry would probably have sufficient airflow to prevent heat buildup. Similarly, if the oily 
 rag was placed in a tightly sealed jar, it most likely would not have sufficient air to allow the oxidation process 
 to occur. That's why it's a good idea to look around your garage, storage shed, and yard on a regular basis to 
 ensure that all flammable materials are properly stored. Be sure that you:
 
* Carefully store oil-, gasoline-, or paint-soaked rags. Store them in a tightly sealed container in a cool, well-ventilated place away from other combustibles. Or, lay the rags out individually on a flat surface and leave 
 them to dry completely before reusing.
 
* Store gasoline and all other flammable fluids outdoors.
 
* Follow the manufacturer's use and storage directions when storing all chemicals. Store chemicals outside, in a dry place, away from any heat source.
 
Properly Dispose of Combustible Materials
Most importantly, be sure you properly dispose of any combustible materials you no longer need. If your community holds a household hazardous waste collection day, take advantage of the opportunity to dispose of combustible products as well as any other acceptable household hazardous waste products like unused or leftover paint, used motor oil, cleaning products, or garden chemicals. Or contact Rooney Road Recycling Center at 303-316-6262. Remember, hazardous products should never be burned, put in the trash, poured down the drain, or dumped into storm drains.