Semi spontaneous combustion???

[OutdoorDad]

Oddest thing.

My 12 year old daughter brought her pillow to me this morning with quite a story.

I have no reason not to believe her. She is generally very honest and very interested in the sciences.

She he asked me to feel her pillow and how warm it was (it was noticeably warm at one end). Then she asked me to note how one end was noticeably thicker than the rest of the pillow (one third of the pillow was “plumped up” about 150% of the rest of the pillow).

She he told me that she was making her bed and changing her pillowcase. When she pulled off the pillowcase, there was a small spark; followed by a much bigger spark. And her pillow got hot and expanded.

Its synthetic fill. Not a flannel pillowcase. But of course dry and lots of potential for static.

Her concern was that her pillow might explode. I tried to explain that an explosion was very unlikely and burning to death in her sleep was far more likely.

But it is truly bizarre. Anyone heard of this before? Experienced same or similar?

We’ve traded pillows just to be safe.

 

[Leadeye]

Don't know what the pillow is stuffed with, but lots of solid things can be made explosive by making a fine powder out of them and distributing them in the correct density with air. Just takes a static spark to set them off.

 

[K_W]

Cut it open.

 

[voidsherpa]

I tried to explain that an explosion was very unlikely and burning to death in her sleep was far more likely.

 

[DRAIN SURGEON]

Could be something like hair spray or another flammable substance on the pillow and static set the fumes off.

 

[OutdoorDad]

Could be something like hair spray or another flammable substance on the pillow and static set the fumes off.

Shes not a hairspray kind of gal.

As soon as I get permission, I’m definitely taking it apart.

 

[WebSnyper]

I see static sparks quite a bit with the blanket on our bed, but never seen it cause anything like that with the effect on the pillow. Interested in your findings.

 

[Audie Murphy]

The wife and I have a comforter that sparks when we move around. Figured it was from some form of static electricity.

 

[amboy49]

I’m sure telling her it was more likely that she would burn to death in her sleep was a real comfort ! WHUT ? ! ! !

 

[Alamo]

I’m sure telling her it was more likely that she would burn to death in her sleep was a real comfort ! WHUT ? ! ! !

Hey, he traded pillows with her, so it’s more likely he will burn to death in his sleep. That should make her feel better.