As a home-owner or apartment dweller, one of the largest concerns one need be wary of, is the ever-existent threat of fire. If you live in a dry, chaparral-heavy environment such as Southern California, that threat is doubly present.  Yet,

In 2003, California passed a state-wide ban on these controversial flame retardant chemicals, due to mounting evidence that these particular chemicals accumulate in human and animal fat tissue, and may lead to an array of health issues such as thyroid, liver, and brain toxicity. The ban covered two forms of PBDEs: octa and penta. According to Environment California, since California's ban of two types of PBDEs in 2003, several states have taken action against these chemicals, including Maine, Hawaii, Michigan, Washington, Oregon, Illinois, Maryland and New York. The European Union also passed a ban in 2002.  Now with a third ban lined up for the last remaining PBDE before the California state legislature, Californians will be left with little fire protection, as manufacturers will be forced to halt the inclusion of dangerous flame-retardant chemicals in furniture, electronics, and household items  that were previously required stipulations. So in the foreseeable future, California's furniture, upholstery, carpets, and electronics, while moving in an amiably less chemically-laden direction, will simultaneously create an entirely new public safety issue: how will we fire-proof our homes in a non-toxic and eco-friendly way?

Firefreeze Worldwide Inc., a New Jersey based company, manufactures completely non-toxic and eco-friendly fire retardants, suppressants, and extinguishers  with their Cold Fire product line. All Cold Fire products are made from mostly organic water and plant-based ingredients, and no components are listed in the NIOSH Recommendation for Occupational Health Standards of 1988, nor are they defined as hazardous by SARA, CERLA, or RCRA.  Cold Fire has also been listed by the United States Environmental Protection Program on their SNAP Program Vendor List (this list contains products that are considered acceptable alternatives to toxic products on the market today). Most existing fire extinguisher systems use halon as their main extinguishing agent - even though the 1994 Montreal protocol banned both its production and use. Halon is responsible for sharing credits in depleting the ozone layer, as it is also a great contributor to producing greenhouse gases. Cold Fire is listed by the US EPA under this program as a substitute for Halon 1211. The reason Cold Fire products stand out so significantly is because they are not only sustainable and non-toxic, but they are extraordinarily effective, even with ethanol-fires. Ethanol fires are notoriously some of the hardest fires to put out -The suppressants in Cold Fire use water as a catalyst to remove the heat as well as encapsulate and breakdown the hydrocarbons in the fuel source to extinguish the fire more rapidly, which is why they are now gaining international recognition as the world's leading environmentally friendly fire extinguishing agent, leading the way in fire fighting technology, and revolutionizing the way fire fighters combat fires (see news coverage on Cold Fire). The company is quickly gaining support from fire departments, law enforcement agencies, and speed racing tracks nationwide, as they are slowly converting to the company's non-toxic and markedly effective products. But the products are not just for commercial or professional use, they are also appropriate for in home use.  Click here to see a demo.

For fire prevention, the company manufactures a product called Fire Block. Fire

Block works to form it's own thermal insulation barrier to prevent dangerous flames from spreading. It also inhibits the development of toxic hydrocarbon smoke. It is so eco-friendly that it can even be put directly on clothing, carpets, upholstery, and furniture, as it is non-corrosive and does not stain (not to mention has NO toxic chemicals).

For fire suppressants, the company manufactures a product called Cold Fire Rapid Cooldown Spray. The product was designed as a safety tool for trade applications, as it is used to cool down hot surfaces rapidly. It is an excellent tool for plumbers, welders, roofers, mechanics, and all others who work with hot surfaces and open flames. But it will also work in the home for any plumbing, heating, mechanical, or roofing applications that may pose the threat of surface overheating.

For fire extinguishment, the company manufactures portable extinguishers that come in 1.5 and 2.5 gallon water extinguishing units for first response. One quart of Cold Fire is added to 8 quartz of water to equal a 10% solution (so the extinguisher is filled with mostly water). When applied to a fire, it quickly penetrates the hot surface and extracts the heat from a fire without steam conversion (water and foam extinguishers do not have the same penetration capability of Cold Fire). The tanks are even completely recyclable and reusable to boot! Click here to see news coverage of the company and product.

I think what I like best about this company is that there are no smoke and mirrors when it comes to testing standards, toxicity, or legalities. The company even offers to provide inquirers with MSDS & Toxicity test information upon request. So whether you choose to purchase one of these aforementioned products, or all three, know that you are providing your family with an invaluable gift: that of safety through fire prevention, as well as through the eco-friendly forethought you will have demonstrated by investing in a non-toxic, chemical-free fire-extinguishing alternative.