Exploding steering wheel

[glojo]

As the title suggests:

A postal worker was injured when a package containing a car steering wheel airbag exploded at a Devon post office.

Evidently this was purchased from Ebay and it sounds like the wheel activated whilst being handled by the sub postmistress. She needed to have one wound stitched and suffered from shock but was released from hospital late last night and is now back at work.

Regards
John

 

[BTB 500]

That's why 99% of steering wheels sold on eBay are without airbags. They are considered to be an explosive device and can't legally be sent through the post. I doubt that couriers would (knowingly) transport them, either.

 

[DansSlk]

I wonder what set it off?

They are normally very safe when treated correctly, of course thats no excuse for shipping it like that is a big no-no but perhaps it was dropped or heated somehow?

 

[BTB 500]

I imagine it's technically possible for them to be triggered by radio equipment or similar at very close range. I wouldn't personally want an active mobile phone near a live airbag.

 

[Simon]

I wouldn't personally want an active mobile phone near a live airbag.

I do it every time I get in my car, no problems so far.

 

[masqueraid]

I wouldn't personally want an active mobile phone near a live airbag.

Maybe we have the solution to the "don't 'phone and drive" issue!

 

[glojo]

I do it every time I get in my car, no problems so far.

 

[Diesel Benz]

Maybe we have the solution to the "don't 'phone and drive" issue!

Now along with the BT car kits, this is quite common. MB certainly has been built to accept a cell phone close to the air bag (the steering wheel may not be the closet air bag anyway) and they even state now that "MB approved phones are allowed to be used in the cabin" (even if perhaps not in the user manual). Still, any precaution isn't bad as it should not make calling any more convenient when keeping the phone close to airbags.

The concern for "radiation" from phones is mostly if not completely unjustified.

The post office explosion must have been from the fact that the wires were not properly "grounded" for transport, static electricity from packaging must have fired it (I did not read the article, perhaps it was explained there).

 

[dean36014]

I deliver them as part of my work. They get put in the roll cages along with everything else, but do have an explosive sticker on them. All we know about it is a slip of paper stating that somewhere in the truck is an explosive device. You are allowed to carry so many before they are classed as a hazadous load. Mind you the company was stuck with a stillage of airbags past there sell by date, and the car manufacturer involved and our company had no idea how to dispose of them, my suggestion of Ebay wasn't well received

 

[DansSlk]

Even with the new BT cradles in the MB's on all the car's i have owned with car-kits i always use a traditional cradle so the phone uses the car's antenna, not only does it give a better signal but it keeps that extra radiation out of the cabin of course if i was using the SAP cradle then i would be happy since its basically a phone in itself and uses the car's antenna.

The SRS systems are all shielded anyways but why take the risk.

Not sure some static would be enough to set it off mind you, these are designed not to accidentally fire.

I'd go with improper handling.

 

[glojo]

Even with the new BT cradles in the MB's on all the car's i have owned with car-kits i always use a traditional cradle so the phone uses the car's antenna, not only does it give a better signal but it keeps that extra radiation out of the cabin of course if i was using the SAP cradle then i would be happy since its basically a phone in itself and uses the car's antenna.

The SRS systems are all shielded anyways but why take the risk.

Not sure some static would be enough to set it off mind you, these are designed not to accidentally fire.

I'd go with improper handling.

We are not talking about a parcel sorting office, this was a village type shop with the sub postmaster holding the wrapped up parcel in her hands when it exploded. Imagine if this was your wife or child carrying a parcel and it exploded like this? Thankfully she only received cuts and bruises but she is in severe shock and obviously shaken up.

Hopefully the seller will be prosecuted, but I doubt they will go to jail!! Okay to send explosive devices through the post, but woe betide anyone using a mobile phone (which I do not condone)

Even if this lady dropped the parcel, or thrw it onto the counter (WHICH IS NOT BEING ALLEGED) then the seller is still in the wrong for posting this item.

Regards
John

 

[DansSlk]

Easy John mate I'm not condoning this at all these devices should be properly labeled and sent via approved and legal routes at all times.

It does not matter if this was a sorting office, village post office or in a postman's rucksack they can still get thrown around and stuff gets damaged.

All i was saying is these things don't go bang to make an entrance something has to set them off and seeing the state most of my mail arrives in i would not be surprised if this device got a knocking about in transit.

Again posting the item like that was a silly thing to do and i hope the sender gets punished however like you i feel this is unlikely.

 

[glojo]

Easy John mate I'm not condoning this at all these devices should be properly labeled and sent via approved and legal routes at all times.

Hi Dan,
Many apologies if my post came across as being inflammatory; that was most certainly NOT my intent and I'm merely trying to give a better picture of the circumstances. I'm like you and find it strange how this package can explaide just by being held??? Several witnesses have been on the local news and stated she was just holding it when it exploded, but the poor old dear who was actually injured cannot remember anything during and just after the incident.

I would expect that the more secure the wrapping, the bigger the force of detonation regarding this package, and yes the sender should definitely have behaved more responsibly.

Regards
John

 

[Deleted member 6183]

Have you seen the rude version of Postman Pat on YouTube?

I'm sure that he's have plenty to say on the subject of exploding parcels!

 

[Diesel Benz]

Even with the new BT cradles in the MB's on all the car's i have owned with car-kits i always use a traditional cradle so the phone uses the car's antenna, not only does it give a better signal but it keeps that extra radiation out of the cabin of course if i was using the SAP cradle then i would be happy since its basically a phone in itself and uses the car's antenna.

The SRS systems are all shielded anyways but why take the risk.

Not sure some static would be enough to set it off mind you, these are designed not to accidentally fire.

I'd go with improper handling.

I don't see your point on BT cradles, I would put preference on a traditional cradle or BT SAP where the external antenna is used but this does not change the fact that there are now many MB owners who use the BT HF device (US doesn't even have any other option). This in addition to those drivers who do not use any car kit.

I know the airbag does not explode easily. But what would this improper handling be? A mechanical shock should not explode it, I assume it was not intentionally wired to explode, what ever you want to call it, I don't want to cal it at all. And I assume post office guys did not put some mains wires into the package? Honestly, what sort of mishandling could make it explode?

 

[DansSlk]

I don't see your point on BT cradles, I would put preference on a traditional cradle or BT SAP where the external antenna is used but this does not change the fact that there are now many MB owners who use the BT HF device (US doesn't even have any other option). This in addition to those drivers who do not use any car kit.

I know the airbag does not explode easily. But what would this improper handling be? A mechanical shock should not explode it, I assume it was not intentionally wired to explode, what ever you want to call it, I don't want to cal it at all. And I assume post office guys did not put some mains wires into the package? Honestly, what sort of mishandling could make it explode?

I meant that given the choice between Bluetooth and wired connections i prefer to use the wired connection. I wasn't trying to make any point about BT cradles i was just saying i prefer to use a wired connection with an external antenna to keep radiation in the cockpit to a minimum.

The rules for handling airbags are actually quite strict in respect to both temperature and mechanical shock, just for an example a 0.5m drop requires the airbag to replaced no questions asked.

 

[BTB 500]

I also prefer a wired cradle ... at the risk of stating the obvious, it charges the phone too!

 

[Carrotchomper]

I also prefer a wired cradle ... at the risk of stating the obvious, it charges the phone too!

What, have you not got one of those Bluetooth chargers yet? You're so behind the times.

Next you'll be telling me you don't have a wireless power network at home like mine

 

[reflexboy]

I wonder what set it off?

QUOTE]


Probably a woman's high pitched voice!