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Date: Thu, 18 Apr 2002 08:21:43 +1200
From: "G."
Subject: Bees Wax, a sober warning.

Hello,
Its with chagrin that I'm writing to share my latest experience and a
warning to anyone else whos experimenting with waxing combs.

I haven't had that much experience with beeswax, but have sealed a few
combs and was feeling pretty confident using hot wax. Last night I had a
harmonica musician around and I was tweaking his Marine Band, including
waxing the comb.

I put the wax on to reheat for a second soak after a bit of touch up
work... and we both forgot about it.
When the fire alarm went off I rushed into the kitchen all I saw was a
raging inferno on my stove, flames leaping up the wall and black smoke... it
had only just flashed.

Now, if I was in a relaxed state of mind I would've have just put the lid on
the pot and that would be that.
If you are in this unfortunate situation I highly recommend you do this and
do NOT grab the pot and attempt to run with it out the back door.... as a
result of doing this I now have serious burns to my right hand after it
flareed up in my face and spewed wax onto my hand then proceeded to spread
like napalm over the carpeted floor up the kitchen door frame.

Hot melted burning wax, I have found, is extremely dangerous.
It catches fire VERY fast, and is very nasty stuff to try to put out.

DO NOT THROW WATER ON BURNING WAX!
Yes... ummm ... I can only say I was in shock from being burnt so badly, and
still panicking because the fire was worse and on the floor and door frame
of the kitchen.
I dumped a container of water onto the fire... it was like adding gas and
just made it flare up even more!
A scene right out of "Some mothers do have 'em"

We both managed to get the fire out by dumping a damp woolen blanket onto
the whole mess. We were both very shaken, and made our way to the hospital
quick smart with my hand in cold water.

I spent a very long and painful night in A&E and will be out of action for a
wee while.
They think I'll recover most of my hand's sensation when its healed, but its
a very painful mess to say the least.
And I'll be out of pocket to help my landlord repair the damage to the
kitchen and corridor.

Please avoid the same stupid dumb arse mistakes I made.
I guess some people's lives serve only as a warning to others.

G - crispy fried.
PS. The muso loves his new marine band! The reed adjustment makes the real
difference.