One of the very worst things that can possibly happen to you is a house fire. Not only are they extremely deadly, but it will burn up your shelter and all of your expensive preps.

If it happens in the middle of or as a result of some other disaster situation, you’re really going to be up a creek, sans paddle.

Accordingly, it’s important to understand how the materials and supplies we keep in our homes could contribute to our overall fire risk.

There are some things that you just wouldn’t expect, too. How about petroleum jelly? Is petroleum jelly flammable?

Petroleum jelly is non-flammable, and is difficult to ignite with a flashpoint around 400 °F (204 °C). Intense open flames might cause it to burn, and a high enough temperature will cause it to melt or release flammable gases which can be a hazard.

I know it sounds almost too good to be true, but the petroleum of jelly really isn’t that much of a fire hazard unless you’re storing huge quantities of it.

Chances are the container you have in your bathroom, tucked away in a closet or a medicine cabinet is not going to contribute negatively to a fire or cause it one way or the other.

Nonetheless, there’s plenty more you’ll want to know about it, so keep reading.

No, petroleum jelly is not combustible either. Combustible materials don’t meet the strict definition of flammability according to the NFPA or OSHA, but might still ignite at a higher temp.

Petroleum jelly isn’t even considered combustible!

Petroleum jelly, despite its name, is not as combustible as you might think. It’s true that it’s derived from petroleum, obviously, but the process by which it is made significantly alters its properties.

The raw petroleum is heavily refined and processed before it becomes the smooth, translucent jelly we all know and, for some of us, love.

The point is that this extensive refining process drastically reduces its flammability. So, while petroleum in its crude form is indeed highly flammable, petroleum jelly is not.

Yes. Petroleum jelly can ignite, but it typically needs a direct flame or extreme heat and does not burn easily or very well unlike some other things in our homes.

Petroleum jelly behaves a little differently from what you might expect when ignited: When exposed to a direct flame, it will eventually catch fire and burn, but the burn is typically slow and not too intense.

This is due to its high flash point, meaning it requires a much higher temperature to ignite compared to many other substances. Therefore, although it’s flammable in the strict technical sense, petroleum jelly is not considered a high fire risk.

Yes. Petroleum jelly does react to high temperatures: When exposed to elevated temperatures, it undergoes a physical transformation rather than a chemical one.

It shifts from its typical semi-solid state to a liquid one. This change in form doesn’t make it more flammable per se, but it can make it easier to ignite if it comes into direct contact with fire.

Make no mistake, very high temperatures do increase the ignition hazard, but this is true for many substances, not just petroleum jelly. We’ll delve deeper into this in the next section…

The manufacturer of Vaseline, the most popular petroleum jelly in the US, has stated that petroleum jelly will start to emit flammable vapors around 400 °Fahrenheit or 205 °Celsius.

We can assume most other petroleum jellies are similar. While this might seem alarming, it’s important to put it into context…

The conditions under which petroleum jelly would reach this temperature are quite extreme and highly unlikely in everyday settings.

If they are encountered, there’s likely already a fire nearby! But jokes aside, under normal circumstances, like storing it in a hot garage, shed, or car, there’s no cause for concern whatsoever.

And if a situation arises where the jelly does reach its flash point, you likely have larger issues at hand!

Petroleum jelly’s semi-solid state is an important part of its safety profile. But when this substance shifts from its typical jellied form to a liquid one, it becomes more prone to ignition.

This poses other, subtler hazards, too: The liquefied product can seep out of containers or spread across surfaces, potentially causing unexpected and seriously hazardous fires.

Thus, it’s crucial to store petroleum jelly in cool, safe places, and be mindful of nearby heat sources that might cause it to melt and run.

Yes. Petroleum jelly will intensify a fire under certain conditions. But do know that a small quantity of petroleum jelly is unlikely to significantly worsen a fire as it would burn up quickly.

However, the situation changes with larger quantities. A large amount of petroleum jelly, maybe a case of jars or a barrel of the stuff, serves as a significant fuel source.

If it tends to melt and release flammable vapors it will greatly feed a fire. Therefore, it’s crucial to handle and store large quantities with due caution to prevent any fire-related accidents.

While petroleum jelly is generally safe and stable, it’s not entirely non-reactive. One of its notable reactions occurs when it comes into contact with strong oxidizers, or concentrated oxygen.

Under these circumstances, petroleum jelly can spontaneously combust. This is a critical consideration in medical settings, particularly for patients undergoing oxygen therapy!

For safety reasons, any petroleum jelly product should never be applied to the lips or nose of someone receiving oxygen treatment.

When faced with a fire involving petroleum jelly, the most effective response typically is using a dry chemical, chemical foam, or CO2 fire extinguisher.

These types of extinguishers work by smothering the fire, effectively cutting off the fuel ignition cycle. Water and water-based fire extinguishers can also be used, but they tend to be less effective.

This is because petroleum jelly repels water, making it harder for water-based solutions to do the job. As always, having the best extinguisher for the task at hand increases the likelihood that nothing bad will happen.

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When it comes to self defense tools, tasers are one of the most misunderstood. Tasers occupy a strange sort of niche between something less harmful like pepper spray, and something extremely harmful like a firearm.

Used correctly, a taser can give you a wonderful ranged option against attackers, and one that’s unlikely to cause serious lasting harm.

Tasers are legal in most states, but they’re not legal in every state. Let’s look at California: are tasers legal in California?

Yes, tasers are legal in California. Tasers can be purchased, possessed, and carried for self-defense in the state of California so long as you are not a felon or drug addict and 16 years old or older.

Compared to some of the truly heinous weapons laws in California, tasers are surprisingly straightforward to obtain and carry.

It’s even possible to carry a taser if you’re under the age of 18! But, as you might expect, California still has loads of laws that will apply to these devices and to you if you carry one. If you want to know what they are, keep reading.

Tasers are broadly categorized as “less-lethal weapons” under California law, meaning any device that is designed to expel less-lethal ammunition that will incapacitate, immobilize, or stun a person through less-than-lethal means.

Tasers, being sort of dart-firing stun guns that rely on compressed gas and a powerful but non-lethal electrical charge for this function, certainly fit the bill.

Check out both definitions in the relevant section below…

DEFINITIONS Section 16780.

(a) “Less lethal weapon” means any device that is designed to or that has been converted to expel or propel less lethal ammunition by any action, mechanism, or process for the purpose of incapacitating, immobilizing, or stunning a human being through the infliction of any less than lethal impairment of physical condition, function, or senses, including physical pain or discomfort. It is not necessary that a weapon leave any lasting or permanent incapacitation, discomfort, pain, or other injury or disability in order to qualify as a less lethal weapon.

(b) Less lethal weapon includes the frame or receiver of any weapon described in subdivision (a), but does not include any of the following unless the part or weapon has been converted as described in subdivision (a):

Yes, they are. Stun guns are a distinct device from tasers, and rely on close physical contact with the electrodes on the device to inflict a painful electrical charge.

The terms are often used interchangeably in normal conversation, but in California they have two different but overlapping legal definitions.

The definition for “stun gun” pops up in 244.5 under Title 8 Chapter 9 of the California penal code.

A stun gun is defined as any item, except a less lethal weapon, that’s used or intended in an offensive or defensive capacity capable of temporarily immobilizing a person by the infliction of an electrical charge.

See the relevant section below…

Assault and Battery Section 244.5.

244.5. (a) As used in this section, “stun gun” means any item, except a less lethal weapon, as defined in Section 16780, used or intended to be used as either an offensive or defensive weapon that is capable of temporarily immobilizing a person by the infliction of an electrical charge.

Yes, you can. Tasers are not firearms and as such don’t fall under the many laws against open carrying firearms in California.

Yes, you can. Assuming that you’re legally allowed to be in possession of the taser you can carry a concealed on or about your person without the benefit of a concealed weapons permit.

Just remember, you cannot take it everywhere without worry! More on that in a minute…

Yes. Generally, one needs to be at least 18 years old to purchase and possess a taser in California.

It’s completely legal for a person that is 16 or 17 years old to be in possession of a taser, or even buy one, so long as they have written permission from their parents in their possession at all times.

If you want to purchase a taser in California you’ll need to obtain one from an authorized dealer.

Typically, this will be a place that sells firearms; you should also note that California has several requirements for dealers that sell these devices.

To legally buy and possess a taser, you cannot be addicted to any narcotics, you cannot have a felony criminal record, or have been convicted of any crime involving assault anywhere in the United States.

Make sure you check out the relevant statute below.

STUN GUN Section 22610.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any person may purchase, possess, or use a stun gun, subject to the following requirements:

(a) No person convicted of a felony or any crime involving an assault under the laws of the United States, the State of California, or any other state, government, or country, or convicted of misuse of a stun gun under Section 244.5, shall purchase, possess, or use any stun gun.

(b) No person addicted to any narcotic drug shall purchase, possess, or use a stun gun.

(c) (1) No person shall sell or furnish any stun gun to a minor unless the minor is at least 16 years of age and has the written consent of the minor’s parent or legal guardian.

(2) Violation of this subdivision shall be a public offense punishable by a fifty-dollar ($50) fine for the first offense. Any subsequent violation of this subdivision is a misdemeanor.

(d) No minor shall possess any stun gun unless the minor is at least 16 years of age and has the written consent of the minor’s parent or legal guardian.

No. Training is not mandatory to purchase, own or carry a taser in California.

You can carry a taser anywhere that you are legally, lawfully allowed to. In California, there are quite a few places where you can’t, unfortunately.

Broadly, you’ll have to avoid carrying your taser, openly or concealed, and any city, county, state, or federal government buildings or offices, or other government installations including military bases, in any school or on any school property, and that includes any conveyance like a bus that is owned and operated by the school, at any meeting where the law requires public attendance, and in any secured area of any airport.

You can only ever use your taser to protect yourself from a legitimate threat of great injury or death.

You must never use your taser as a joke, to win an argument or because someone insulted you. These things aren’t toys!

A taser is properly categorized as a less-lethal weapon, not as a less-than-lethal weapon; a categorization California law is quite correct on, even though the less-than-lethal verbiage pops up in the text of the section.

It is possible that a taser could inflict lasting harm on someone if they already have a medical condition or compromised health or if they’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

It isn’t completely out of the question that your taser could set someone on fire!

Likewise, someone who’s immobilized by a taser could fall down out of control and crack their head.

That’s too bad for them if they were legitimately attacking you, but it’s too bad for you if that happens because you are goofing off with these powerful devices!

Like what you read?

Then you’re gonna love my free PDF, 20 common survival items, 20 uncommon survival uses for each. That’s 400 total uses for these dirt-cheap little items!

We will not spam you.