Use Candles With Care
Fire Prevention Week is October 9 – 12. The theme is Use Candles with Care. I'll try to have a post each day this week to promote the safe use of candles and to promote Fire Prevention Week.
Here is the official website. There is tons of info there so take some time and do a little reading.
Take note of some quick facts about candle fires in the U.S.:
* Over the last decade, candle fires have tripled. In 2001 alone, an estimated 18,000 home fires started by candles were reported to fire departments, an all time high. These fires resulted in 190 deaths, 1,450 injuries and an estimated property loss of $265 million.* Forty-one percent of U.S. home candle fires begin in the bedroom, causing 24% of the deaths resulting from these fires.
* A special study found that the candles were being used for light in one-third of the fatal home candle fires, generally because power to the home had been shut off due to nonpayment (24%) or as a result of a temporary power outage (7%).
* December had almost twice the number of home candle fires of an average month.
* Seven out of 10 households in the U.S. now use candles, with younger adults more likely to use them than older adults.
