It may sound like an urban myth, but it can and does happen. Fishbowls, jam-jars and even glass door-knobs have been implicated in focusing the sun's rays sufficiently to cause smouldering, followed by a full-scale blaze.
Curvature Can Cause Fires
However, a study by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) found that under certain rare conditions, it's possible for windows to develop a curvature that can focus enough heat to melt or warp vinyl siding or even cause small fires.
Glass and Sunlight
If sunlight passing through a particular window or glass object hits some flammable material on the other side such as paper or fabric, there is a possibility that this could lead to a fire.
Sometimes, fires occur naturally, ignited by heat from the sun or a lightning strike. However, the majority of wildfires are the result of human carelessness.
“Both of these fires were started by the reflected light from the sun, which directed rays from magnifying mirrors onto combustible items. Low sun at this time of year and direct sunlight on mirrors can cause serious problems.
The likelihood is very, very slim, however; you have the right kind of mirror, it actually can occur," says Chief Solomon of the West Columbia Fire Department. He says concave mirrors can cause the fires.
Use reflective surfaces
In addition to mirrors, there are other ways to use reflective surfaces to increase natural light in your home. For instance, you could hang a piece of art with a glossy finish or use metal accents to reflect light around the room.
Wood placed in an oven at 700°F. catches fire almost immediately. At oven temperatures of 450°-500°F., the wood gradually chars and usually ignites after several hours.
Faulty appliances/wiring cause the greatest number of house fires. Heating devices such as heaters, wood stoves, and fireplaces, are another leading cause. Most often the fires start when something like furniture, boxes, or clothing placed too near the heat source overheats and ignites.
The time to burn can vary by skin type, but at a high UV level it is approximately 15 to 25 minutes. A UV Index reading 8 to 10 puts you at a very high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. Take extra precautions for both your skin and eyes because damage occurs quickly, typically within 15 minutes.
Yes, you can get a tan through a window with standard glass because it allows UVA rays to pass through. However, it would take a long time, so don't expect a glowing tan from sitting in a conservatory for a few hours.
Options include shades, blinds, screens, awnings, draperies or curtains, and shutters. Operable window shades help control daylighting.
The UV rays that most windows allow through, especially older windows with single panes, damage your interiors and result in having to repair and replace these elements sooner than most homeowners would prefer. Extended exposure to UV rays can also fade or discolor your floors.
Breaking windows
Breaking open windows allows the fire to gain more access to oxygen which helps the fire grow, which would greatly decrease your chances of escape. By keeping the windows closed you are starving the fire as much as possible.
Open a window when using the fireplace to prevent the room from becoming smoky. The air coming in from the window will go up the chimney. Before making a fire, open the glass doors, pull aside the screen curtains, and place the kindling, newspaper and logs inside.
An estimated 358,500 home fires occur every year. 50% of these fires start in the kitchen, 7% begin in the bedroom, and 6% are chimney fires, 4% of all residential home fires start in the living room, while 3% start from the laundry room.
Room temperatures in a fire can be 100 degrees at floor level and rise to 600 degrees at eye level. Inhaling this super-hot air will scorch your lungs and melt clothes to your skin. Fire is DARK! Fire starts bright, but quickly produces black smoke and complete darkness.
Blue flames are the hottest, followed by white. After that, yellow, orange and red are the common colours you'll see in most fires. It's interesting to note that, despite the common use of blue as a cold colour, and red as a hot colour – as they are on taps, for instance – it's the opposite for fire.
Oxygen, heat, and fuel are frequently referred to as the "fire triangle." Add in the fourth element, the chemical reaction, and you actually have a fire "tetrahedron." The important thing to remember is: take any of these four things away, and you will not have a fire or the fire will be extinguished.
However, once the temperature dips to -40 °F or °C, some common fuels freeze and get much harder to ignite. This is because combustion is a chemical reaction between gas molecules. Below -45°F, gasoline doesn't have a high enough vapor pressure for ignition.
According to US News, a lack of sunlight means our brains produce less serotonin, a neurotransmitter that affects our mood. If you're working from home or relaxing for the day, letting as much natural light into your space can potentially help boost your body's serotonin levels.
Conclusion. Natural sunlight will make your residence feel healthier, safer and more comfortable. From an interior design standpoint, the lighter, brighter the room is, the more comfortable it is. When the sun is at its peak, today's shades can block the sun and keep the heat out.
Curtains that keep out light (or most of it)
As well as block-out curtains, you can also get room-darkening curtains, like these ones, that keep most of the light out. They often come in brighter colors than block-out curtains, so you get more options to suit your style.