Inconsequential warnings are those that may describe a real problem, but either the problem was solved years ago, the risk associated with the problem is trivial, or the solution suggested is more dangerous than the problem it was supposed to fix. That is, that while these are not really hoaxes there is no reason to be circulating them to everyone on the Internet. The anxiety caused in people by spreading these warnings likely causes more damage than the risks of the events warned about. Also, for warnings like the Heart Attack Warning, following the recommendations in the warning may actually decrease your probability of survival.
January 1998
This warning is basically true for some but not all phone systems. Some PBX systems transfer a call to an outside, long distance operator when you type 90# giving the caller an outside line on your dime. It works if your phone system requires you to dial 9 to get an outside line, 0 to get an operator and # to transfer the incoming call to the line you have just dialed. Few home phones require you to dial 9 to get an outside line so dialing 90# will only get you a busy signal. As this is one of thousands of potential scams, sending out a message to everyone you know probably does more damage than the scam being warned about.
On Saturday, 24 January 1998, Naval Air Station, Joint Reserve Base, New Orleans' Quarterdeck received a telephone call from an individual identifying himself as an AT&T Service Technician that was running a test on our telephone lines. He stated that to complete the test the QMOW should touch nine (9), zero (0), pound sign (#) and hang up. Luckily, the QMOW was suspicious and refused. Upon contacting the telephone company we were informed that by using 90# you end up giving the individual that called you access to your telephone line and allows them to place a long distance telephone call, with the charge appearing on your telephone [bill]. We were further informed that this scam has been originating from many of the local jails/prisons. Please 'pass the word.'
October 2000
This warning is basically true. We originally felt that the likelihood of this happening was very low but enough people have managed to make this happen for ABC News to do a segment on it. The risk is still low, considering the number of cups of water heated in a microwave every day but it is not zero. Microwave users can prevent this from happening by simply not overheating the water. If your cup of water has been in the microwave for two or three minutes, it is hot. There is no need to heat it more.
It is possible to superheat water in the microwave. To do so, you must have an extremely clean glass with no microscopic dirt or scratches that could serve as nucleation points for boiling. That is you need a new glass and it must be very clean. Usually you would have to clean the glass with acid because soap leaves a microscopic film that can serve as nucleation points for boiling. There also must be little or no vibration as that can also trigger boiling. If you now heat this ultra clean glass of water in the microwave you can get the water above the boiling point without there being any bubbles. When you remove it, a slight vibration or fleck of dust can trigger it into vigorous boiling. I tried this and it does start bubbling and frothing for a couple of seconds but did not jump out of the glass as mentioned in the warning. We have had mail from people with first hand experience with this effect and they all indicated that the water exploded out of the glass. To do this, the water temperature must be well over the boiling point.
To prevent this and other problems with microwaves, people should keep one thing in mind:
**W A R N I N G: W A T E R I N M I C R O W A V E** I guess I didn't know this. I heat water in a mug often in the microwave. I never thought of it as being too dangerous. I feel that the following is information that anyone who uses a microwave oven to heat water should be made aware of. About five days ago my twenty-six-year old son decided to have a cup of instant coffee. He took a cup of water and put it in the microwave to heat it up (something that he had done numerous times before). I am not sure how long he set the timer for but he told me he wanted to bring the water to a boil. When the timer shut the oven off, he removed the cup from the oven. As he looked into the cup he noted that the water was not boiling, but instantly the water in the cup "blew up" into his face. The cup remained intact until he threw it out of his hand but all the water had flew out into his face due to the build up of energy. His whole face is blistered and he has first and second degree burns to his face that may leave scarring. He also may have lost partial sight in his left eye. While at the hospital, the doctor who was attending to him stated that this is a fairly common occurrence and water (alone) should never be heated in a microwave oven. If water is heated in this manner, something should be placed in the cup to diffuse the energy such as a wooden stirrer stick / spoon, tea bag, etc. It is however a much safer choice to boil the water in a kettle. NOTE: Subsequently on reviewing the above I have consulted a set of Microwave Operation Instructions and under the heading Liquids it states: Liquids that have been heated by Microwave can suddenly erupt. This is due to layers heated to higher temperatures being trapped under the surface. To avoid this happening to any liquid, e.g. coffee, custard, gravy etc.: 1. Stir the liquid thoroughly before heating in the microwave. 2. Stir the liquid at least twice during the heating time. 3. Stir the liquid again at the end. NEVER OVERHEAT LIQUIDS. 4. Always use a suitable sized container, at least one third larger, than the volume of liquid to be heated. If in doubt use conventional methods, kettle, etc. Please pass this information on to friends and family
July 1999
Want to know how to survive a heart attack alone? Give yourself CPR by coughing. Both the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross say this method of CPR is highly unlikely to save anyone. Realize that if your heart has stopped you are going to pass out in a matter of seconds. If you have not passed out, your heart has not stopped and you do not need CPR. You will have a much higher survival probability if you dial 911 before you pass out.
Subject: Heart Attack Information For your information. This will also be posted on the Health & Wellness portion of the intra-net. HOW TO SURVIVE A HEART ATTACK WHEN ALONE A person, of any age, can have a heart attack. Without help the person whose heart stops beating properly and who begins to feel faint, has only about 10 seconds left before losing consciousness. However, these victims can help themselves by coughing repeatedly and very vigorously. A deep breath should be taken before each cough, and the cough must be deep and prolonged, as when producing sputum from deep inside the chest. A breath and a cough must be repeated about every two seconds without let up until help arrives, or until the heart is felt to be beating normally again. Deep breaths get oxygen into the lungs and coughing movements squeeze the heart and keep the blood circulating. The squeezing pressure on the heart also helps it regain normal rhythm. In this way, heart attack victims can get to a phone and, between breaths, call for help. Tell as many other people as possible about this, it could save their lives! --from Health Cares, Rochester General Hospital via Chapter 240's newsletter AND THE BEAT GOES ON . . . (reprint from The Mended Hearts, Inc. publication, Heart Response)
June 2001
Exploding Gel Candles??? I have checked all over and can find nothing in any news or government report about exploding gel candles. I found a single gel candle recall by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. In this 1998 case, some Glade brand gel candles were burning a little too high and were recalled.
While I did not find any information about exploding gel candles, keep in mind that gel candles, like any candle, contain fire and hot melted fuel. The warning labels on the candles say to only burn them on a nonflamable surface, don't pick them up while they are hot, and keep the wick trimmed so the flame does not get too high. Careless handling of any candle could get you burned or could start a fire so be please careful when using them.
Subject: IMPORTANT INFORMATION - Gel candles Thought you all should read this for your own safety. Hi all, My former secretary had a terrible thing happen to her and her family last week, and I wanted to share it with all of you so that you could be warned and warn your friends and family as well. She had a gel candle burning in her bathroom...it exploded and caught her house on fire...the house burned down and they have lost everything. The fire marshal told her that this is not the first incident where a gel candle has exploded and caused a fire. He said that the gel builds up a gas, and often times it explodes and sets fire to the room it is in, which is what happened to her. The fire was so hot it melted the smoke alarm, and they didn't discover the fire until there was an explosion, which was her toilet blowing up, and then it was too late...the entire upstairs was engulfed in flames. Smoke damage and water damage have destroyed what wasn't destroyed by fire. I know that there are roomies and friends that I don't have on this list because I can't remember how to spell their screen names...please pass this along to anyone I missed. I wouldn't want this to happen to anyone else. Her family is devastated. All their mementos and everything of value and meaning are gone. I'm not trying to scare anyone...just a friendly warning to all of you about the use of gel candles left unattended. Thanks and take care. NOTE: Marty and I know a lady who loves the gel candles. She had one burning on her mantle and it caught fire just like in the message above. She was at home at the time and saw it happen and grabbed the candle to keep it from setting her home on fire and it came apart in her hand. She suffered third degree burns to her hand and 3 fingers! Please, if you or anyone you know have these candles, don't light them, they are dangerous. Please, pass this on.
August 2001
This warning is essentially true but is fanning the flames of a real Public Health Warning. As far as I can tell, as of this writing (8/01), none of these products has been recalled by the FDA. They have only issued a request that all companies discontinue marketing over the counter products that contain Phenylpropanolamine Hydrochloride (a decongestant ) and have issued a Public Health Warning to that effect. Instead of passing around this warning, direct your contacts to the FDA web page for the most current and correct information about this drug.
The original Public Health Warning was issued in November 2000, and most drug companies have already reformulated their products (c.f. Triaminic) or have stopped marketing their products until they are reformulated (c.f. Alka-Seltzer Plus).
This warning actually started making the rounds as a recap of the newspaper article on the Public Healty Warning, where it noted that women in the age range 18 to 49 show an increased risk of stroke after taking the product. That risk, though increased, is still extremely low. As the warning made the rounds of the Internet, it was modified into the current dire warning that claims there is a recall of all products containing the drug.
Subject: Drug/Health Warning - Phenylpropanolamine Drug Warning All drugs containing Phenylpropanolamine are being recalled. You may want to try calling the 800 number listed on most drug boxes and inquire about a REFUND. Please read this CAREFULLY, as I know that some of you may USE some of these drugs (Alka Seltzer Plus for one). Also, please pass this on to everyone you know. STOP TAKING anything containing this ingredient. It has been linked to increased hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding in brain) among women ages 18-49 in the three days after starting use of medication. Problems were not found in men but the FDA recommended that everyone (even children) seek alternative medicine. The following medications contain Phenylpropanolamine: Acutrim Diet Gum Acutrim Diet Suppressant Plus Dietary Supplements Acutrim Maximum Strength Appetite Control Alka-Seltzer Plus Children's Cold Medicine Effervescent Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold medicine (cherry or orange) Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold Medicine Original Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Cough Medicine Effervescent Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Flu Medicine Effervescent Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Sinus Effervescent Alka Seltzer Plus Night-Time Cold Medicine Effervescent BC Allergy Sinus Cold Powder BC Sinus Cold Powder Comtrex Deep Chest Cold & Congestion Relief Comtrex Flu Therapy & Fever Relief Day & Night Contac 12-Hour Cold Capsules Contac 12 Hour Caplets Coricidin D Cold, Flu & Sinus Dexatrim Caffeine Free Dexatrim Extended Duration Dexatrim Gelcaps Dexatrim Vitamin C/Caffeine Free Dimetapp Cold & Allergy Chewable Tablets Dimetapp Cold & Cough Liqui-Gels Dimetapp DM Cold & Cough Elixir Dimetapp Elixir Dimetapp 4 Hour Liquid Gels Dimetapp 4 Hour Tablets Dimetapp 12 Hour Extentabs Tablets Naldecon DX Pediatric Drops Permathene Mega-16 Robitussin CF Tavist-D 12 Hour Relief of Sinus & Nasal Congestion Triaminic DM Cough Relief Triaminic Expectorant Chest & Head Congestion Triaminic Syrup Cold & Allergy Triaminic Triaminicol Cold & Cough Cherry (Pink) 3D Cold & Cough Berry 3D Cough Relief Yellow 3D Expectorant Tiaminic is asking you to call them at 800-548-3708 with the lot number on the box so they can end you postage for you to send it back to them, and they will also issue you a refund. If you know of anyone else with small children, PLEASE PASS THIS ON. THIS IS SERIOUS STUFF. PLEASE PASS ALONG TO ALL ON YOUR MAILING LIST so people are informed.
September 2001
Creepy? Yes. Does it have any significance? None whatsoever. Also, the tail numbers of all US registered planes start with N.
Subject: very weird!! Go into a word document; type in Q33 NY; Q33 is the tail # of the first plane to strike the towers, and of course NY is pretty self explanatory. After you type it in, make it large enough for you to see, say oh about a 20 size; then change the font to wingdings style, and see what you get. Creepy!
July 2002
I've seen this one alone and combined with the cell phone warning. There really is a Petroleum Equipment Institute and it really is working on a safety campaign about static electricity at gas pumps. Static electric sparks and gas fumes are a known problem. This is why the nozzles of gas pumps are grounded, to remove any static charge from a car while it is being refueled. This is a very successful setup as evidenced by the statistics presented by the Petroleum Equipment Institute. According to their report, Americans fill their cars 16 to 18 billion times a year and they have evidence of about 150 ignitions due to static a year. That's a risk of 150/16,000,000,000 = 0.000000009 per fill up or one fire per 107,000,000 fill ups per year.
Most of the facts and figures stated in the warning appear to have been made up by the writer to make the warning appear more important. For example, the warning about cell phones is not included in the Institute report. In fact the institute says "PEI has not documented any cases of cellular phones causing fires at gas stations". The Petroleum Equipment Institute has the following safety rules for refueling a car,
The last one concerns static generated when you slide across your seat. This short video shows you the possible consequences. If you are concerned, simply touch the metal part of your car away from the gas filler hole before going near the filler hole. That will discharge the static buildup between you through the car away from any gas fumes.
There is a risk when siphoning gas because siphons are not grounded. If you are filling a gas can for your lawnmower or other gas appliance by siphoning the gas out of your gas tank, keep in mind that the plastic pipe you are using is not grounded. Touching a metal part of the car away from the filler hole and the ground (with your hand, not through your rubber soled shoes) at the same time will discharge the car and reduce the risk of making a spark.
