OT: Be careful with candles.

Doug in Illinois · Feb 20, 2009

Wednesday evening a mobile home burned down over to Macomb, IL. The two people in it made it out, but just barely. They did lose a couple dogs in the fire, one was in a cage. Anyhow, the news says they had a candle going in a bookcase and fell asleep, only to wake up to smoke and fire. DOUG

RayP(MI) · Feb 20, 2009

good advice. We've had several candle fires over the last few years.

RayP(MI) · Feb 20, 2009

In our area - not at our home!

MarkB_MI · Feb 20, 2009

Neighbor's house burned to the ground a few years back. Candle started the fire. Family barely made it out, dog was not so lucky.

Interestingly, they had a bunch of stuff stored in Rubbermaid containers in the basement. It all survived the fire and subsequent fire hoses. Everything else was a total loss.

John B. · Feb 20, 2009

Years ago candles were a way of life before electric came into homes. Now days we're not cautious enough with them.

There was a repair shop, the building only 3 years old and it recently burned up.

The mechanics were replacing a fuel pump on gasoline powered vehicle and the incadescent drop lite got dropped exposing it to the gas fumes causing the fire. They had some old care in the shop that were restored that were also lost.

John B. · Feb 20, 2009

Years ago candles were a way of life before electric came into homes. Now days we're not cautious enough with them.

There was a repair shop, the building only 3 years old and it recently burned up.

The mechanics were replacing a fuel pump on gasoline powered vehicle and the incadescent drop lite got dropped exposing it to the gas fumes causing the fire. They had some old cars in the shop that were restored that were also lost.

buickddeere · Feb 20, 2009

Fire sprinkler systems should be mandatory by law in all new buildings and retrofitted to renovated buildings.

504-2 · Feb 20, 2009

BIL burnt his trailer down a year ago when the dog knocked a candle over.

Anonymous-0 · Feb 20, 2009

I had a fire last year, burnt the top of kitchen table,cloth etc, lit a candle because of power failure, sat on the couch and went to sleep, fire alarm woke me up, being an older house couldn't decide whether to put it out or go for a walk.Decided on the former.Very tempting though.

Anonymous-0 · Feb 20, 2009

When I was growing up, family down the street had candles on their Christmas tree! Never burned down, but even as a kid I could see a huge problem with that.

NcNE · Feb 20, 2009

Went to a fire just the other morning that was started by a candle. Didnt lose the house but lots of smoke damage and some water damage.

Anonymous-0 · Feb 21, 2009

i cant aford it, govt. to big already,if i was a plummer/pipe fitter, it would be O.K.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous-0 · Feb 21, 2009

How did the candle start a fire?Was it in a holder.People do a lot of stupid things with candles like putting them in windows with curtains.

Spook · Feb 21, 2009

Must be a Canuck.

Anonymous-0 · Feb 21, 2009

I cannot believe how stupid people are with an open flame..........

rrlund · Feb 21, 2009

Tell me about it. My mother almost did that once. She left a candle without any kind of a jar or holder burning on the table. Caught the tablecloth on fire. Dad was on the couch and said the cat started acting funny,then he saw the flicker of the fire. He got it out before it spread,thank God.

buickddeere · Feb 21, 2009

3/4" copper pipe, a couple of ball valves and a dozen sprinkler heads are cheap.
How much does a fire cost?
Ever hear tell of insurance policy deductions?

Leland · Feb 21, 2009

Moronic state workers in Springfield have set offices on fire before with candles ,now ILL forbids candles in any state building .

Leland · Feb 21, 2009

That works fine if you had enough water ,but being on a shallow well the water would peter out rather fast .then the state would require me to spend tens of thousands of $$$$$$$$$$$$$ to bring water up to a absurd code .

Doug in Illinois · Feb 21, 2009

36 coupe asked how the candle started the fire. News article says they put the candle in a bookcase. My wife likes candles, but makes sure to even put them on a plate to catch the drippings and keeps them away from where they could catch anything on fire or get knocked over. DOUG

buickddeere · Feb 21, 2009

Flow is only calculated for two heads max. Sprinkler systems rarely have more than one head spray.
Most people get the idea from walking around public buildings that a home sprinkler system needs 4" mains and 1000gpm.
You well should make 5gpm at 30psi no problem.
The specs on a home fire sprinkler system are realistic. Not a plumbing contractor dream.
Is somebody here saying that domestic sprinklers are NOT a good item?

Doug in Illinois · Feb 21, 2009

Fire is my worst nightmare. I have lost way too much from it in my life, thru no fault of my own. Lost was a barn in Kansas in the middle of the night in 1995 or so. Took the best pickup I ever owned with it, scorched the back of the 1066 but was able to get in it and save it. Then last year Valentine's day meth heads fried my Mom's old farm house. No insurance except liability, we lost over probably 1/4 million in antiques still in it along with all the old family photos and records. The trailer we live in now has come close to burning down after a lightning strike. We were on the way home from the feed store, when we walked in the door the smoke alarms were blaring. Smoke was rolling out of the closet door in our bedroom, which is where the water heater and pressure tank are. The lightning fried the wires to the pressure tank. The fire ext we keep in the house knocked the edge off the flames, the one out of the tractor finished the job. Another couple minutes wouldn't have had a house. B4 that I lived in a rental trailer that heat tape caught fire under it. Could smell smoke in it, but none outside. Pulled skirting and found the heat tape frying.
I am going to check in to sprinklers. Until I tear the barn down, I can't get insurance. Even with insurance, you cannot replace all your photos, etc. DOUG

buickddeere · Feb 21, 2009

Sorry to hear about the loss of those irreplaceable family heirlooms.
It costs some but everything is over insured here and has the replacement rider.

JiminIA · Feb 21, 2009

Over the years I have seen many candle started fires, Cats and candles are always a bad mix. As said below heat tapes in mobile homes are very common fire starters. I don't know why anyone building a new house would not add some sort of sprinklers, if your gonna spend all that money why not spend a little more to protect it?? Insurance offers no fire protection, sprinkers DO!!.....Jim

Anonymous-0 · Feb 22, 2009

Candles should be used in proper holders that catch any drippings.I have a brass holder that will catch any drips plus it has a handle to move it.One thing that I see that bothers me is the practice of using Mason jars as kerosene lamp bases.This make a very top heavy lamp that will tip easy.A good lamp should have a heavy base that is at least 6 inches in diameter.

Anonymous-0 · Feb 23, 2009

Fellow lost his garage last night.Working on a gas leak.Space heater picked up fumes, exploded.3 fire dept saved the house.I have a firm rule to work on gas problems out doors.Drop lights start most fires.I use a small LED light that mounts on my hat visor.You dont need much light working out doors during day time.There are plenty of good head mounted battery lights on the market.LED models are best.Check your gas tank straps in summer,most are rusted away in road salt areas.

JML755 · Feb 23, 2009

(quoted from post at 12:30:36 02/21/09) 3/4" copper pipe, a couple of ball valves and a dozen sprinkler heads are cheap.
How much does a fire cost?
Ever hear tell of insurance policy deductions?

I'd need 2 dozen heads to give my house complete coverage. Plumbing a 2-story colonial would be a nightmare (and very costly) after it's been built or even during a renovation. I don't disagree that a sprinkler system (indoor and roof mounted) would be my choice if I lived in: a) California or other fire-prone area b) a log home.

Smoke detectors are now code everywhere and we have one on each floor of our house in addition to CO detectors. I believe that this is probably sufficient for MOST homeowners who don't do stupid stuff. Here in SE Michigan, we have numerous fires in the winter from people using space heaters, stoves, etc. to heat their homes or candles for light when their utilities have been shut off for non-payment. THAT is the most prevalent cause of home fires up here as these people are usually not the sharpest knives in the drawer, if you know what I mean.

Anyway, I think that mandatory sprinkler systems are NOT necessary but if I REALLY wanted to be secure, I'd put in a HALON system.

OT: Be careful with candles.

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