Fire Investigator Trainer Blows the Whistle on Smart Technology Causing Fires

By Catherine J. Frompovich

If you think your “smart” appliances are the “cat’s whiskers,” then please think again! Actually, in my opinion, they are the dumbest things ever invented that have been able to buffalo consumers into spending their hard-earned money to purchase, but have the greatest potential for causing consumers harm and grief.

Recently, I received an email from one of my readers who had to attend a fire safety training session for ‘their’ job. That instructional course was given by none other than a Delaware County, Pennsylvania Fire Investigator, who was quite explicit in his presentation about certain fire causes.

Here’s what the email said for which this sender gave permission to share:

He [the trainer] mentioned in the beginning of his presentation how fire deaths were down, but house fires were up dramatically across the nation. [CJF emphasis added]

Later during the Q&A, I asked him in front of the whole group [what were] the causes of these fires. He mentioned all the electronics – WiFi/Bluetooth gadgets, cheap phone chargers, iPads, wide screen TVs, etc.

I interrupted to say “how about smart meters“ to which he replied: Anything “smart” is a fire hazard.

This [smart] technology is so new, and they haven’t tested or developed it adequately enough yet.

He went on to poke fun at “smart” wired houses having everything linked and what a hazard that can cause.

Then after the presentation, I commented how I heard that as this technology ages, it becomes even more potentially hazardous, which he affirmed, and also mentioned that

More car fires occur because of all the electronic gadgetry now.

All the above information is yet another confirmation with implications for Consumer Protection Law(s) at local and state levels regarding “smart” consumer appliances and fires, which insurance companies – especially AMI Smart Meter fires – are declining coverage for!

But there is even more serious damage happening every minute of the day from microwave technology, which smart appliances operate on. It’s called electromagnetic frequencies (EMFs/RFs) that emit non-ionizing radiation which cause adverse health effects known as “non-thermal” effects.

Consumers, when they really learn the downside of “smart technology,” obviously will have to beef up their activism to get the protection they need for their health and properties, as the industries involved—and more sadly—states public utility commissions—really don’t give a hoot about the harms caused, otherwise they would be enacting legislation to deal with them.

And then there’s this information that I received from readers whose privacy I respect and honor, but will share their information. In sharing information like the following from a reader in Canada, it is that consumers become aware, physically safer plus empowered:

People need to be getting documentation about all of these fires. Media articles are often the starting point, but they are anecdotal. Once there is what sounds like a smart meter fire, request and obtain the official fire report from the state or provincial fire commissioner. Find out what the legal reporting and investigating requirements are. If the fire is believed to be electrical, who does the investigation and how is he informed about the fire? Are the laws being followed? Are meters being removed? It takes time and digging but I can’t find anyone else who is getting this sort of info for fires in their areas. It is only when this documentation is obtained for many fires and patterns are found that things will be taken seriously.

In the US the Consumer Affairs Dept. [1] has agreed to gather reports on smeter fires. I have sent her a few because the ITRON meters we use are the same used in many places in the US. But in Canada our meters are not considered “consumer” goods since the utilities own them. This agency should be informed but it requires full documentation – not just media reports. [2]

Note that here’s what I think our kind and thoughtful Canadian neighbor is referring to:

The US Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) is a federal agency that will take complaints on utility smart meters from all US states. If you have or had smart meter electrical or fire problems CALL: (800) 638-2772 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET or submit your complaint by email. [1]

However, I must caution a consumer that, if or when you experience an AMI Smart Meter (‘smeter’) fire, immediately after the fire has been extinguished and it is safe to do so, take photographs with your cell phone and a regular camera, so you can have “secured” documentation because things can get ‘lost’ in cyberspace! Remember to attach copies of those photos with the smeter fire report you file with the US Consumer Products Safety Commission.

Additionally, I must share that I’ve heard stories that the power company immediately removes the fire-damaged meter and does not allow consumers access to it or to keep a fire-damaged meter as ‘proof’ for insurance purposes. It seems that ‘games’ are being played, and insurance companies ‘buy’ into them too!

Fire safety regarding all ‘smart’ technology should be enforced by consumer products safety commissions, municipalities and code enforcement departments at local and state levels. Obviously they are not doing that when it comes to AMI Smart Meters made with heat-sensitive plastic parts. Analog meters were made of glass and steel parts.

Learn how to protect yourself from smart technology EMFs/RFs and fire hazards.

References:

[1] http://emfsafetynetwork.org/smart-meters/smart-meter-fires-and-explosions/
[2] Personal email to CJF

Resources:

ZigBee Radio Transmitter: How Many Do You Have?
http://www.activistpost.com/2016/08/zigbee-radio-transmitter-how-many-do-you-have.html

A Journeyman – Not An Apprentice – Electrician Explains Faulty Smart Meters
http://www.activistpost.com/2016/07/journeyman-not-apprentice-electrician-explains-faulty-smart-meters.html

Smart Meter, Wi-Fi And Microwave Radiation Information Consumers Need To Know
http://www.activistpost.com/2016/07/smart-meter-wi-fi-microwave-radiation-information-consumers-need-know.html

Microwave Technology: The “Gift” That Keeps Sharing – Your Information That Is
http://www.activistpost.com/2016/07/microwave-technology-the-gift-that-keeps-sharing-your-information-that-is.ht

Catherine J Frompovich (website) is a retired natural nutritionist who earned advanced degrees in Nutrition and Holistic Health Sciences, Certification in Orthomolecular Theory and Practice plus Paralegal Studies. Her work has been published in national and airline magazines since the early 1980s. Catherine authored numerous books on health issues along with co-authoring papers and monographs with physicians, nurses, and holistic healthcare professionals. She has been a consumer healthcare researcher 35 years and counting.

Catherine’s latest book, published October 4, 2013, is Vaccination Voodoo, What YOU Don’t Know About Vaccines, available on Amazon.com.

Her 2012 book A Cancer Answer, Holistic BREAST Cancer Management, A Guide to Effective & Non-Toxic Treatments, is available on Amazon.com and as a Kindle eBook.

Two of Catherine’s more recent books on Amazon.com are Our Chemical Lives And The Hijacking Of Our DNA, A Probe Into What’s Probably Making Us Sick (2009) and Lord, How Can I Make It Through Grieving My Loss, An Inspirational Guide Through the Grieving Process (2008)