Fire Hazards

• Fire is one of the leading safety hazards associated with insect bombs. As noted, foggers release their entire contents once they are opened, so manufacturers have to include a chemical propellant in the insecticide mixture in order to propel the insecticide chemicals out of the can. These propellants are usually flammable, meaning that a failure to keep the fogger away from open flame can leave your house prone to a potentially serious fire.
  
  

Pilot Lights and Foggers

• Read and follow all safety precautions on the fogger you purchase prior to using it. The University of Kentucky Extension guide to using insect foggers deduces that the great mass of home fires caused by insect foggers are a result of consumers' failing to obey safety precautions properly. Even if the labeling does not advise you to do so, it is always recommended to turn off pilot lights, extinguish cigarettes and remove any other sources of open flame that could ignite the flammable propellants inside the fogger.
  
  

Other Fire Prevention Tips

• In 1998, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) amended its flammability labeling warnings so that all aerosol insecticide foggers advise users to follow all application instructions meticulously. Additionally, to prevent fires, the EPA recommends never using more than one fogger per room, never using a fogger in a small, enclosed space with poor ventilation such as a closet cabinet, and to turn off appliances that cycle on and off such as refrigerators and thermostats while the fogger is in use.
  
  

Other Tips for Fogger Safety

• Fire is not the only potential hazard when using a fogger for fleas or for any other insects. Application instructions for insect foggers always advise consumers to put away utensils, pet food and water dishes and food preparation equipment and to cover food preparation surfaces prior to use; a failure to do so can leave you, your family and your pets exposed to potentially toxic pesticide chemicals. Again, the best way to ensure that foggers are used in the safest manner possible is simply to never deviate from the manufacturer's printed application instructions.