Samsung's fancy new 'vase' can save you from unexpected fires
What's the story
Samsung is globally known for its TVs and smartphones, but in South Korea, its home base, the extent of the company's penetration goes way beyond. The Seoul-based tech giant serves a range of markets, including insurance where it provides Fire and Marine protection to homes and businesses. Now, as part of the same effort, it's offering unique 'Firevases' across the country. Here's how they work.
Device
Firevase: An attractive vase that doubles up as fire extinguisher
Tackling the concerning problem of residential fires in South Korea, Samsung's subsidiary Cheil Worldwide has been producing and distributing 'Firevases' to people. This home decor product looks just like any other flower vase that you'd keep in your home, but in reality, it doubles as a fire extinguisher that you can easily use in the case of a fire emergency, The Verge reported.
Working
How a Firevase extinguishes fire
In the situation of a fire, you'd have to throw the Firevase where the blaze is spewing. This way, just like in video games, the smashing of the vase releases a special chemical to cool down the fire before putting it out completely. Specifically, Samsung's vase uses potassium carbonate; it acts as an oxygen suppressant and seen as a reliable fire retardant.
Information
Potassium carbonate is stored discreetly in the vase
Samsung's Firevase features a very simple design with an inner and outer chamber. The inner chamber lets you keep flowers (just like any other vase), while the outer one stores the colorless potassium carbonate solution.
Problem
Problem of fire incidents in South Korea
Samsung launched Firevase as part of a campaign to raise awareness about residential fires as well as to promote the use of fire extinguishers in South Korea. Every year more than 10,000 cases of residential fires are reported in the country, Dezeen reported. Home fire extinguishers have been mandatory since 2017 but Samsung's research shows less than 45% homes have one.
Progress
Now, 'Firevases' are helping
Since the launch of this campaign, Samsung Fire and Marine Insurance has delivered some 100,000 Firevases to homes, contributing an 8% increase in the number of homes equipped with fire extinguishers. Now, considering this progress, the company plans to expand the production and distribute 200,000 more. It says the vase can kill fires in early stages, having the same effect of a fire truck.