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Vape Explodes While Charging!

BE CAREFUL CHARGING YOUR VAPE!

By Christopher Rowe

Via Livelink.com: CCTV footage has caught the moment a ball of fire narrowly missed a barmaid’s head when an e-cigarette exploded and wrecked her dress. Laura Baty, 18, was serving a punter when she heard a massive bang and saw fire coming towards her. Before she had time to think she felt the heat on her arm and started running away.

First of all, this article should not make anyone scared of vaping!

I was sent a link to this video above because a great vape customer of mine had seen it and got a bit uneasy so I figured I would address this issue since it is quite real and not a lot of people talk about it.

Just like some of the cell phone and IPod issues of the recent past, the batteries that we place in our vaporizers can become worn and faulty. This does not just happen to novice vapers, as this calamity can almost spark out of nowhere. (Please pardon the pun!)

No matter what your level of experience is with vaping and vape hardware, it can become habit to absent-mindedly plug your vape into the wall when the charge is dwindling.

It is easy to overlook a daily inspection of your hardware because after a short while your vape becomes more than an electronic device. It quickly gets promoted from MP3 player status to something more ethereal and personal.

If you follow this very short list of MUST DO’S you reduce the chance of having something like the video above happening to you and your vape!

TDV’S 7 VAPE SAFETY RULES

1. Whenever you do a rebuild, replace a coil, or simply just change the tank look at your connectors and make sure they are clean and not gummed up with week old cast off juice, dust, or finger cheese (If you had a ball-mouse know what finger cheese is!)

2. If you have a vape where you can remove the battery from the shell, then you should look at it at least daily. If it looks like its bulging or if the battery case is not perfectly clean inside then the battery should be safely recycled and the inside of the case cleaned properly.

3. If your vape gets unnaturally hot, especially around the area where your battery is housed, it is probably a good idea to replace the battery. If you have an eGo style you should replace the entire bottom half of your vape device. (The part with the button on it.)

4. Inspect the charging port on the wall plug or USB cord. Make sure like in rule 1 it is clean and clear of anything that could gum it up.

5. While your battery or vape base is charging, feel the battery or the base of the device that is plugged into the wall. If it is abnormally hot, disconnect it and recycle the battery.

6. Consider the wall plug as well. If you live or work in a place where the electricity is known to surge or have really bad wiring problems then it would be a better idea to perhaps think of a different charging area. This also includes plugging into power strips and using voltage converters…

7. Do not let your batteries or vape be near any hot surfaces. Keep them at room temperature if at all possible, and never leave batteries or exposed active contacts on or with conductive metals like coins, or steel counter tops.

There you have it! Following the steps above will, for the most part protect you from any undue incidences with a fiery bang!  It should also be mentioned that you should not use your vape while pumping gas either because there is also a freak chance you will become the fire ball..

Again, I am not trying to scare you but I think it’s only fair that everyone who owns a vape should know as much about it as they can. It also will help make your hardware last longer by being more aware of its condition.

According to an article on smartplanet.com 1 in over a million Iphone batteries will explode, and no one really does regular battery safety checks on their other style cellphones. 1 in over a million odds is TRULY a freak accident.

Just remember to use your brain and vape safe!

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New Post has been published on Top Dog Vapes Blog

New Post has been published on http://www.topdogvapes.net/dangers-e-liquid-ejuice-2/

The Dangers Of E-Liquid (Ejuice)

The Dangers Of E-Liquid (Ejuice)

by Chris Rowe

On March 23, 2014 the New York Times released an article that spread around many social media sites like fire in a drought ridden forest… (http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/24/business/selling-a-poison-by-the-barrel-liquid-nicotine-for-e-cigarettes.html?_r=2)

I would like to take this opportunity to say a few words on behalf of the vaping community, and especially those of us who manufacture and distribute E-juices.

First of all, the article to me was 1% genuine concern for public safety and 99% typical mass media panic making politics. Fear is a great motivator and the media outlets have turned fear mongering into a science. However some of what is in the article is true, which is why I felt the need to write about Ejuice and Ejuice safety.

FDA REGULATIONS & MIXOLOGY:

There is really not a lot of regulation on Ejuice. There is some regulations on the products of which Ejuice is made from. Let’s first discuss what Ejuice is made of..

Overall the ingredients for Ejuice is: Propylene Glycol, Vegetable Glycerin, Flavor, Nicotine(Optional), and Water (Sometimes). These are the basic Ejuice ingredients and they do vary in degree to amount of each depending on the juicer’s blend or recipe.

Propylene Glycol is used a lot on the pharmaceutical realm. It is a known solvent and often used to deliver and maintain consistent dosage of medicines, it’s recognized as safe by the FDA and the body metabolically breaks it down with little to no issues. It is usually the alcohol alternative liquid base found in most cake and food flavorings.  (WARNING: People can be allergic to this substance!) (http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/fcn/fcnDetailNavigation.cfm?rpt=scogsListing&id=262)

Vegetable Glycerin is used as a carbohydrate in many areas of food and pharmacology. It is used in sweeteners, cosmetics, and personal lubricants. It is also a primary ingredient in many types of fog machines used at parties. This too is recognized as safe by the FDA. (http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/fcn/fcnDetailNavigation.cfm?rpt=scogsListing&id=142)

Flavorings are used to make the Ejuice taste like how we want it to. These are varied and can be made with synthetic flavorings or natural using extracts. Often the raw concentrated flavorings contain small amounts of alcohol but primarily use a Propylene Glycol base. Sometimes you can find flavors cut with water or Vegetable Glycerin. Reputable Ejuicers buy their flavors stock from an FDA regulated source.

Nicotine is an OPTIONAL additive for people who enjoy it. It is a stimulant much like caffeine but the compound is bit different. According to the FDA it is a toxic substance and in proper amounts can make a person ill or even kill them. It does not take much to overdose if dosage is non-consistent or blatantly wrong. A tablespoon of up to 24mg can make children and adults very sick, and younger children are at risk of death. Drinking a tablespoon of higher amounts can kill even an adult.  (http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9926222)

Water is pretty self-explanatory…..

Reputable Ejuice manufacturers will only use Food Grade or better products and will take universal precautions when manufacturing their product.

WHERE THE ARTICLE FELL SHORT:

The article was deceptive because it felt, at least to me, that they were trying to make it sound all around toxic, when in fact it was the nicotine that is toxic.

Some flavors can be a bit strong, but not deadly. There is a product known as a tincture, where the ejuicer will take a substance, in this case we will say it’s a pound of pipe tobacco, and using a specific process will extract the flavors from the tobacco in essence making a concentrated tea. I have never used this and I cannot vouch for its safety.

The article also failed to mention that if I decide to not add nicotine, or I purchase nicotine free Ejuice, I could in theory open the bottle and drink the Ejuice with no real medical problems. I might feel sick to my stomach due to the strong flavors and very odd texture of Ejuice, but there would be nothing chemically there to harm me. It would be similar to drinking a bottle vanilla flavoring for use in cake.

The propaganda like writing style was meant to drive fear into people as there are many states who have legislative bills open to vote soon on the legalities and regulations of Ejuice. WHAT DO I THINK ABOUT ALL OF THIS?

I know MANY ejuicers and vape “Alchemists” out there. I don’t anyone who isn’t against a little bit of regulatory guidelines to assure safety and a standard of practice when making Ejuice. Where we have issues is if the government decides to turn over all Ejuice manufacturing to fortune 500 industries and tobacco companies.

My background is in the perfume industry which is very similar to the Ejuice manufacturing industry, except when I make perfumes, soaps, and shampoos I had to follow a strict guideline set forth by the government. In moderation it is a wonderful thing to have for our safety. CONCLUSION

I am a HUGE proponent of personal freedom. I believe we have the right to vape and make Ejuice. I also believe that with that freedom should come an obligation of responsibility.

It’s really just plain old fashioned common sense…. NEVER let a child have access to your Ejuice. Would you let a child eat a pack of smokes or a can of chew? Would you let your kids have access to a chemical closet with toxic caustic liquids? This is why many of the Ejuicers are putting “KEEP OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN” on their bottles, which in my opinion is only right, and it’s easy!

I know most of the Ejuicers that I speak with all sell their products in bottles with a childproof lid. If your supplier does not sell their Ejuice with a childproof lid then please recommend them to, or purchase your own and transfer the liquid (With gloves) into a bottle that does.

Another option is buying 0mg Nicotine Ejuices. This would be a wise decision for someone who is seriously worried about the risk of overdosing.  Please also keep in mind that Nicotine is not only water soluble it is also transdermal and will break the blood barrier so if you spill nicotine you should wear gloves when cleaning it up. It really doesn’t take much to be a problem.

Children should not be allowed to vape, and likewise over vaping can cause issues with overdosing as well. Albeit rare to kill an adult, over-vaping can be very uncomfortable with vertigo, nausea, vomiting, headaches, and cramping.

Please be wise, and use common sense. We also need to let people know the truth behind Ejuice, and we have to stop saying it’s completely safe. What we need to say is “Without added nicotine it’s very safe”, or what I prefer to use is, “It’s much safer than cigarettes!”

I will write more articles on this as I get more questions on the subject, also feel free to share this article with all of your friends so that they can understand with an unbiased mind the facts of Ejuice.

-Chris Rowe

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Why Vape Pens Are So Valuable

    Why Vape Pens Are So Valuable    by Tim Breasnan

Some of the most popular vaporizers you'll find on today's market are designed to look somewhat like pens. These vape pens might look simple in appearance but they can certainly go a long way when it comes to providing you with the best vapors you could ever ask for.These vape pens might look simple in appearance but they can certainly go a long way when it comes to providing you with the best vapors you could ever ask for.

A Simple Design

A huge part of what makes vape pens so valuable is that they are designed with some very simple and easy to use designs. These pens are made with designs that can be drawn from like what you'd get out of a cigarette. The big difference is that you obviously won't have to worry about the toxic materials that come with traditional cigarettes. The organic stuff that you take in from a vape pen will make it a much more beneficial product to use.

Easy to Activate

It doesn't take much for you to activate such a pen either. The thing is that it works with a simple switch in most cases. This can be activated on the side or base of the pen to turn on the heater. This should be powered by a rechargeable battery. You'll have to make sure the battery is fully charged so you will have a better time with setting up something that is easy to maintain.

Easy to Fill

It does not take much for you to fill one of these pens in either. This can be designed with a system that uses an opening in the middle of the pen to keep it active and ready to use. It should be relatively easy to maintain.

In fact, it can even be paired with a good stirring stick to make it easier for you to mix things inside your pen. This will give you something that is easy to prepare and will not be too hard to set up no matter what you want to add out of it. You might need to add water or another compound to go with your plant material but it's worth taking a careful look at.

You should think about vape pens for what you've got to enjoy. This will give you something that is enjoyable and appealing for whatever you might be interested in getting for vaporization needs.

-Tim Breasnan

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New Post has been published on Top Dog Vapes Blog

New Post has been published on http://www.topdogvapes.net/using-vaporizer-quit-smoking/

Using a vaporizer to quit smoking!

By Chris Rowe

I can remember the reasons why I started smoking. Smoking promised to give confidence, maturity and the enjoyment of the good life with friends. But somewhere along the way, smoking came to mean more and more the opposite of these things. By switching to vaping (a vaporizer), I recovered all of the things that originally drew me to smoking without having to smoke…and this is just the start of the benefits I found from vaping.

Consider this:

Just 8 hours after stopping smoking, your body will have stopped absorbing carbon monoxide long enough for your oxygen levels to return to those of a nonsmoker. After 24 hours, all carbon monoxide will have left your body and your lungs will begin to push out the mucus inside it. After 48 hours, your sense of smell and taste will have noticeably improved as your body repairs the damage that smoke does to your nose and tongue. After 72 hours, the tar that clogs your bronchial tubes will begin to clear. What this means is that you will be able to breathe a lot easier and you will have a greater feeling of get-up-and-go.

In time, you will achieve even more serious benefits, such as an end to hacking and wheezing, a mostly reduced likelihood of heart attack and lung cancer; and the whole time you’ll have been taking drags from your vaporizer, recreating the familiar rhythms of smoking.  The only other thing that carries over from smoking is nicotine absorption, a chemical that is nearly identical to caffeine. Your cigarette habit will be replaced with something more like a coffee hobby, all while maintaining your classic identity.

Even though in my experience quitting smoking through vaping with a vaporizer is not always the best way for some people. Quitting smoking can be achieved through a slow decrease in nicotine. Beginning with something like 24mg, which is easily what someone with a two pack or more a day habit would be able to start at, and then dwindle down to 0mg. If a person is a one pack a day regular (The red pack) cigarette smoker, or a two pack a day lights or ultra-light smoker then starting with an E-juice that is 14-16mg of Nicotine would be good enough.

At first I noticed a difference between a smoke and a vaporizer. I was looking for the cigarette flavor, but somehow all the tobacco flavors missed the mark. This was because at that time the best way to make a vaporizer taste like a burning cigarette was to make the juice with actual tobacco. This would not have been a good way to quit.

The key to successfully quitting smoking using a vaporizer is to introduce a Nicotine deficit. This means every few weeks to a month you must drop down a level of Nicotine. This is much harder than it sounds.

For two reasons:

1. Nicotine can be highly addictive and the body will undergo withdrawals even when the body is taking in nicotine, espeically if the dosage is less than your body is used to.

2. Not all vape shops sell a graduated selection of nicotine in various mg sizes. Even rarer are shops that “nic” the juice themselves to give you a custom dosage.

I get asked many times a week about how to quit smoking using a vape, and vaporizing yourself smoke-free. My answer is always the same.  Vaping is much like smoking in that it is its own lifestyle choice. Some people will not be able to quit using this method. In fact, many people both smoke and vape.

I used to say, “Using a vaporizer to quit smoking is like switching to eating caramel to give up chocolate.”  It can be done, albeit a tough road, as any form of freeing yourself from smoking can be. You are giving up all the toxins and carcinogens. You are giving up the stink and the bad breath. You are giving up the mornings where you are coughing up chunks of tar-laden phlegm. Despite the talk there are some risk with vaping, nothing that is close to the risks of smoking cigarettes. If you DO NOT eat your e-liquid you stand a good shot of not having any issues. There are others and we will post about those soon!

Remember, never give up trying to quit and use every tool you have to stay on the vape. Try having multiple flavors of ejuice so that the variety can keep your palate interested. Visit local vape shops and vape bars where you can socialize with others who vape, they can offer great support!

Vaping started for me as a way to quit smoking, but it ended up becoming a passion, a hobby, a lifestyle. Not to mention soon my livelihood!

Please feel free to share this post with other who may be interested in getting into vaping or wish to try something new as a way to quit smoking. It can never hurt to try!

-Chris Rowe

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Vape Etiquette - The 9 Laws of Vaping Etiquette

Vape Etiquette - The 9 Laws of Vaping Etiquette   By Darren Cari

 With the possibilities of FDA regulations hanging over our heads, and other countries already putting controls in place for electronic cigarettes, vapers need to pay close attention to how they use their devices and where they vape. 

It essentially comes down to being a good steward and a decent individual.When talking about e-cigarette etiquette, I've had discussions with people that run the gamut from far left to far right. In many cases, vapers firmly believe that since it's not smoking it doesn't fall under the laws governing tobacco use in public places, so they vape when and where they want, as often as they want.

The continued rise in popularity of e-cigarettes means they're appearing more and more in public places. As we breach the general population and heads begin to turn, opinions will start to form among non-smokers (both good and bad) about vaping. So do we partake in our vapor as we see fit because we're not doing harm to others, or do we practice good etiquette to put vaping in as positive a light as possible?

Don't smoke within 25 feet of a doorway.

Don't smoke at the dinner table or with other diners unless the majority of the group was smokers (more than half). Even still, ask the non-smokers at the table if they were fine with me smoking.

Never smoke at a table or when out to eat until everyone is finished with their food

Hold cigarettes at an angle that smoke never drifts toward someone

Always blow smoke upward

Never in the same space as children

Never in a car with non-smokers

I could go on, it was a long list. The point was, I always considered other people and how my smoking affected them, so should we then have the same considerations while vaping?

Business Insider journalist, Chris Anderson, developed 9 Laws of ecigarette etiquette they recommend people follow while vaping. Most are common sense suggestions that force us to be considerate of the others around us.

9. No vaping while at the movies! Anderson suggests never doing this for two reasons. The vapor and the light. While some models don't light up or the light is hidden by your finger when you press it to vape, there are others like the Blu cigs that glow at the end. Then there's the vapor cloud (both sight and smell).

8. No vaping at the dinner table!

Vaping at the dinner table, even at a restaurant, is supposedly rude. Personally I'm divided on this one because vapor dissipates quickly. I stand by not doing it while the people at the table are eating, and never around children if they're at the table.

7. Vaping in an open office! Anderson states that you should never vape in the office and not to make a show of it. The most considerate thing is to step away, but if your coworkers and your supervisors have no issue with it then there's no reason to fuss. Good communication and asking your coworkers first is solid etiquette here.

6. Don't vape in the john Business Insider says it's not polite to do it in the bathroom and not to hide. If you do it in the bathroom just because you're going to be there for a little while, and your employer is aware of it, more power to you. It'll always smell better than the other thing you're producing.

5. Vaping isn't for quitters! This one annoyed me. Anderson states that you're vaping because you don't want to smoke cigarettes anymore. If you smoke but also vape then you make all other vapers look bad. This just isn't the case.  Some people cannot quit smoking cold turkey and I would never expect them to. I know countless vapers who have the occasional analog cig, especially when they first transition.

4. Don't vape on public transportation! Honestly, you shouldn't do it in any confined space with other people where ventilation could be an issue. That means planes, trains, taxi, bus, subway, etc.

3. Don't look down on smokers! Smokers shouldn't be aggressively "sold" on vaping.

2. Don't vape around children! I've got 2 young girls that constantly told me they wanted me to quit smoking when I would step onto the porch to have a puff. I won't vape when they're around me, especially next to me or in my lap.

1. Don't leave your vaping supplies laying around! This is less about etiquette and more about common sense. If you have animals and/or small children then put your things away. Even small doses of nicotine can make animals and kids extremely ill. Concentrated liquids and cartridges could be fatal if swallowed. For more articles please visit www.topdogvapes.net , or submit your own!