OK, Toy Time Tim aside (and folks, he's a professional, don't try this at home) I'm starting to wonder if the infatuation of flame testing toys "to see if they're what it says they are" is getting a little out of hand. Am I alone here?

I think, also, we need to be really careful with flame testing if we insist on doing it. Putting a match to anything that might be TPR (and in the long run TPR isn't a bad material, but it isn't pure silicone) or certain plastics could result in toxic gases being released or fires gettting out of control. Somebody is going to get hurt. Not to mention ruin toys that otherwise might have served them well in many respects.

Also, there is no obligation to flame test anything. If the toy smells funny it probably isn't medical or 100% silicone. Perhaps contacting the manufacturer and kindly inquiring into the material of the toy is a better idea. I have NEVER flame tested a toy myself. I contact manufacturers and I am always nice and they are more than happy to give me information.

Also, sometimes the Product Page or even the box is incorrect or not up to date, but the people at the manufacturer will get to the bottom of the issue and let you know.

Fr'instance, a toy I know isn't 100% silicone (because I did the DR and contacted the manufacturer who TOLD me what he toy was made of, and they never said it was 100% silicone, they gave me the actual make up) was recently "flame tested" for a review with disastrous results. An hour later, I read an other review (for a toy I am not familiar with) that had similar awful results.

Burning polymers in a home environment is SIMPLY not a good idea, unless you really know what you are doing. My concerns are for people's respiratory systems, and for.... their houses. One toy, made of an otherwise fairly nice material like TPR, that goes up in flames could give someone an asthma attack, make them sick, cause a migraine or even cause a house fire.

There NO obligation to flame test toys to write a review on these toys. I'd like to call a moratorium to this, especially if it's obvious the toy ISN'T silicone. "It smelled like plastic, so I set it on fire to see."

Most of the toy manufacturers of toys Eden carries are more than happy to email you with information. Not only is this easier than.... setting your toys on fire. It's a hella safer.

I hope I'm not out of line here. It's all fun and games until somebody has an asthma attack that requires hospitalization or burns down their house.

Let's leave...uh... pyrotechnics to people like Tim, who have the knowledge and the experience and the safe spaces to do it. less

I am agree. We do need to be careful with doing so. I have only done it when I questioned the material and out of curiosity. I have however tried to contact a company about their materials and they refuse to answer me. They won't even tell me if it is porous. I have this item as an assignment and it is marked on the box as a material I have not heard of nor is it on EF material guide. I went to the company page to check it out and there was no useful information. I sent them and email and tried to call them. The only phone number is automated so you can order out of a catalog and they never replied to my email. I have to write the review, but have been putting it off. How can I explain about a material I have no idea about? less

I am agree. We do need to be careful with doing so. I have only done it when I questioned the material and out of curiosity. I have however tried to contact a company about their materials and they refuse to answer me. They won't even tell me if it is porous. I have this item as an assignment and it is marked on the box as a material I have not heard of nor is it on EF material guide. I went to the company page to check it out and there was no useful information. I sent them and email and tried to call them. The only phone number is automated so you can order out of a catalog and they never replied to my email. I have to write the review, but have been putting it off. How can I explain about a material I have no idea about? less

Well, that doesn't seem right. You need to know the material to write the review. (Although, I wouldn't recommend setting on fire to find out. )

You might want to put in a support ticket and see if Eden can get you the info you need. Companies should respond to emails, I'd be suspect of companies who don't. less

I'm guessing the flame test for some is as much for dramatic effect as it is for actual informative purposes. It's not something I would ever do as a part of a review, and is definitely not something that should be done indoors in a regular home (both because of the risk of toxic fumes and the obvious risk of starting a fire).

I do think accurate material information from companies is really important to have, and that they should be willing to respond honestly to inquiries. A lot of people here are rightly concerned about materials and their quality and in the case of material allergies have some serious needs for accurate information. less

I am so happy you posted this! Yes, there is no real need to flame test toys, if a person is that worried (Like they want to share with different partners) it is much better, and safer, to just buy another toy or use a condom. Like P'gell said, some of the fumes can be toxic and a fire from say TPR will not easily be put out, can you say ABC fire extinguisher?

If a person is really that worried about a questionable material, just send the company an email and ask them. Most, if not all, will be more than happy to give you the info you need.

Really, if you wan to see something burn, just send me a note and I will be happy to do it for you. I not only have lots of experience with fire but I also have all the safety equipment to go with it. less

I am so happy you posted this! Yes, there is no real need to flame test toys, if a person is that worried (Like they want to share with different partners) it is much better, and safer, to just buy another toy or use a condom. Like P'gell said, some of the fumes can be toxic and a fire from say TPR will not easily be put out, can you say ABC fire extinguisher?

If a person is really that worried about a questionable material, just send the company an email and ask them. Most, if not all, will be more than happy to give you the info you need.

Really, if you wan to see something burn, just send me a note and I will be happy to do it for you. I not only have lots of experience with fire but I also have all the safety equipment to go with it. less

And I agree that flame testing should be discouraged. I did it once, and only thought it through later and realized how dangerous it was, and how awful I'd have felt if I'd burned down a building with 8 flats in it, possibly injuring or killing people, over a $25 toy! less

Thanks for posting this P'Gell! It's bugged me too, people setting dildos aflame just to see if it's TPR silicone instead of silicone. There are easier and safer ways.

I'm as much as a fire bug as anyone (looks at Tim), but setting your vibes on fire is like cutting down a tree to see how old it is. less

I thoroughly agree about the flame-testing. It seems impractical and what happens if it's not pure silicone? You throw it out? You'd have a gross singed chunk of toy on your hands and I have to admit, I wouldn't be okay with using a flame-tested toy if it melted or something. ): less

OK, Toy Time Tim aside (and folks, he's a professional, don't try this at home) I'm starting to wonder if the infatuation of flame testing toys "to see if they're what it says they are" is getting a little out of hand. Am I alone here?

I think, also, we need to be really careful with flame testing if we insist on doing it. Putting a match to anything that might be TPR (and in the long run TPR isn't a bad material, but it isn't pure silicone) or certain plastics could result in toxic gases being released or fires gettting out of control. Somebody is going to get hurt. Not to mention ruin toys that otherwise might have served them well in many respects.

Also, there is no obligation to flame test anything. If the toy smells funny it probably isn't medical or 100% silicone. Perhaps contacting the manufacturer and kindly inquiring into the material of the toy is a better idea. I have NEVER flame tested a toy myself. I contact manufacturers and I am always nice and they are more than happy to give me information.

Also, sometimes the Product Page or even the box is incorrect or not up to date, but the people at the manufacturer will get to the bottom of the issue and let you know.

Fr'instance, a toy I know isn't 100% silicone (because I did the DR and contacted the manufacturer who TOLD me what he toy was made of, and they never said it was 100% silicone, they gave me the actual make up) was recently "flame tested" for a review with disastrous results. An hour later, I read an other review (for a toy I am not familiar with) that had similar awful results.

Burning polymers in a home environment is SIMPLY not a good idea, unless you really know what you are doing. My concerns are for people's respiratory systems, and for.... their houses. One toy, made of an otherwise fairly nice material like TPR, that goes up in flames could give someone an asthma attack, make them sick, cause a migraine or even cause a house fire.

There NO obligation to flame test toys to write a review on these toys. I'd like to call a moratorium to this, especially if it's obvious the toy ISN'T silicone. "It smelled like plastic, so I set it on fire to see."

Most of the toy manufacturers of toys Eden carries are more than happy to email you with information. Not only is this easier than.... setting your toys on fire. It's a hella safer.

I hope I'm not out of line here. It's all fun and games until somebody has an asthma attack that requires hospitalization or burns down their house.

Let's leave...uh... pyrotechnics to people like Tim, who have the knowledge and the experience and the safe spaces to do it. less