Urgent information for use of candles during power outages

 PRN - GHN - It's 

[caption id="attachment_12151" align="alignleft" width="450"] Candle - wikimedia commons[/caption]

the season of the year when power outages occur, when nights are long
and the need for electricity critical.  That's when the candles come
out.  The nation's fire departments tell us it's also a time to have
some safety tips.

About 20% of the fatalities that occur in fires involve the use of candles during power outages.

These are the recommendations from the National Candle Association and fire marshals across the country:

• Pillar candles and container candles are a better choice during a power outage than taper candles.
  Broader based candles are less likely to be accidentally knocked over.
  When possible, candles should be enclosed within glass globes for added
  protection from burns or fire.


• Place candles on a stable surface in a fire resistant holder that is 12 inches away from anything flammable.
  For added safety when the lights go out, a candle in its holder may be
  placed on a metal cookie sheet, frying pan or ceramic dinner plate.


• Avoid moving a burning candle during a power outage if possible. It
  is easy to trip in the dark or brush against something flammable.
  Container candles may be too hot to handle, causing you to drop the
  container which could start a fire.


• Never leave a burning candle unattended. Try to
  restrict people and candles to one room in the house so the location of
  family members and candle flames always can be accounted for.
  Extinguish candles upon leaving a room.


• Make sure the candles are well out of the reach of children and pets. Young children are especially apt to bump into things when a room is unfamiliarly dark.


• Don't use candles to search for something in a closet or small confined space where clothes, papers or other combustibles could accidentally ignite.


• Extinguish all candles before going to bed. Never use a candle as a nightlight.


• Extinguish candles safely. Extinguish the
  candle by cupping your hand behind the candle flame before blowing it
  out – or, better yet, snuff out the flame with a metal candle snuffer. A
  spark or ember, if blown from the candle, could ignite combustibles
  nearby.