Candles may be pretty to look at, but they are a cause of house fires and home fire deaths.
With Christmas and the New Year’s holiday coming up, Manitowoc Fire Chief Todd Blaser address the topic during a recent appearance on WOMT’s Be My Guest program.
He suggested you use the battery-operated light candles as they are “much more safe…I have seen way too many fires that have started with the use of candles.”
Blaser explained candles are “stored a little bit better in glass containers”, but make certain they are at least 3 feet away from combustibles.
He also offered other safety tips, including making sure they are “out of reach of children, (and) make sure they are blown out before you leave the house.”
He also noted that he has seen numerous fires start due to cats.
He said they will “go up and paw at it, and knock it over.”
According to the National Fire Protection Association, Christmas is the peak day for candle fires, and on average in this country, 20 home candle fires
