Check Traffic

Check Traffic
Live Cameras, Conditions

°

Homepage / Houston News
Text Size

Acrylic Nails Can Be Fire Hazard

Women's Nails Catch Fire

POSTED: 3:52 p.m. CST November 25, 2002
UPDATED: 7:11 a.m. CST November 26, 2002

Many Houston-area women love to have beautiful, long nails. But there may be a hidden hazard with acrylic nails, News2Houston reported Monday.

Acrylic Nail Caught Fire

Darla Frenny wanted long, flaming red nails for a hot date after her divorce.

She wanted sparks to fly, and they did, from her nails.

In front of her date, Frenny accidentally set her acrylic fingernail on fire with a cigarette lighter.

"I was kind of scared because it did flame kind of high and I thought my real nail caught on fire. But it didn't. I put it in a glass of water," Frenny said.

A scientist at Lamar University tested artificial nails and found that acrylic, painted, plastic press-on nails and plain press-on nails ignited within 1.1 seconds near a flame, on average.

Frenny learned the hard way that chemical-based nails are combustible.

"I watch what I do. I wear them a lot shorter," Frenny said.

Lighting candles is the most common way women find out that their fingers can be fire-starters.

Women also discover the fire hazard with fake fingernails while working in the kitchen.

An electric burner, not a gas burner, sparked a frightening experience for Monica McNeill.

She went with some girlfriends to a nail party at a salon and got acrylic overlays.

"When it was finished, it was gorgeous. I couldn't believe it. I thought, 'I can't believe I lived like this for years without beautiful nails,'" McNeill said.

Later that day, she prepared afternoon tea at her home.

"When I went into the kitchen, (I) took the kettle off and my fingers brushed against the coil," McNeill said.

She said that all of her nails caught fire and burned, scorching the tips of her fingers.

Four fingers burned in about two seconds, according to McNeill.

McNeill said that she would never get acrylic nails again.

"I can't imagine -- what if my fingers were burned even more? They were scorched, but what if it had gotten more severe burns on the fingers? No, I would never ever do it again," McNeill said.

Sponsored Links

Links We Like
Sponsored Content
Don’t believe everything people tell you about home improvement. Check out the top 4 myths and stop throwing away your money. More

If you have aspirations of becoming a millionaire, check out these five habits that may be worth emulating. More

Eating breakfast is good for you, but eating a healthy breakfast is even better. Get the scoop on which breakfast foods are the most nutritious. More

You’ve heard of certain foods that can help you prevent cancer and even halt the spread of the disease. Find out if these anti-cancer foods really work. More

Most Popular

  • StoriesClick to Expand

  • VideosClick to Expand

  • SlideshowsClick to Expand

    • Slideshow 2: Viewers At Airshow

      Wings Over Houston AirshowThe Wings Over Houston Airshow was held at Ellington Field on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, 2009. More than 80,000 people attended. Check out some of the viewers who visited the KPRC booth.

    • Tragedy At Fort Hood

      A soldier opened fire at a U.S. Army base in Fort Hood, Texas, on Thursday, unleashing a stream of gunfire that left 13 people dead and 31 wounded.

    • Fort Hood Victims From All Walks Of Life

      The 13 people killed when an Army psychiatrist allegedly opened fire on fellow soldiers at Fort Hood, Texas, included several people who shared the same profession as the alleged shooter. Here is a look at the victims.

    • Slideshow: Viewers At Airshow

      Wings Over HoustonThe Wings Over Houston Airshow was held at Ellington Field last weekend. More than 80,000 people attended. Check out the viewers who visited the KPRC Local 2 booth.

    • Slideshow: Viewers' Hot Shot Pictures 2009 Part 2

      butterfly hotshotViewers send their favorite pictures to KPRC Local 2 meteorologists to feature on air. Send your submission to hotshots@click2houston.com and watch Local 2 to see if it's picked.