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| By Chief P. Robert Wallace East Longmeadow Fire Department EAST LONGMEADOW Candles come in many sizes, colors, aromas, and shapes. Seven out of 10 homes use candles, especially around the holidays. Let's make this a safe and fire free holiday season. Over the last ten years, candle fires have more that tripled from 5,500 reported in 1990 to an estimated 18,000 during 2001 at an alarming fire loss of $25 million dollars and 157 deaths. East Longmeadow Fire Chief P. Robert Wallace would like to pass on a few life saving and prevention safety tips when using candles in the home. Keep all matches and lighters away from children. Never leave a lit candle unattended. Never have candles in a child's room. Be very cautious with pets and candles in the home pets are curious. Don't light a candle and then walk with it. Never place candles in windows. Do not use candles anywhere around flammable liquids. Use sturdy candle holders. Place the candles on a firm surface preferably a cookie sheet or equal. Do not have a lit candle near any combustibles or moving drapes or curtains. Never use a candle to "search" in a confined space or under a bed. Use flashlights during a power outage instead of several lit candles. |