The top three days for home candle fires were Christmas, New Year’s Day, and Christmas Eve.
U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Incident Reporting System shows that in 2005-2009:
• On average, 35 home candle fires were reported per day.
• More than half (55%) of all candle fires started when something that could burn, such as furniture, mattresses or bedding, curtains, or decorations, was too close to the candle.
• In one-fifth (19%) of the fires, the candles were unattended or abandoned.
• More than one-third of home candle fires begin in the bedroom, although the candle industry found that only 13% of candle users burn candles in the bedroom most often.
• December is the peak time of year for home candle fires. In December, 11% of home candle fires began with decorations compared to 4% the rest of the year.
SOME THOUGHTS ON CANDLE SAFETY
NOVEMBER UPDATE
November started off with an early snow storm, breaking numerous trees and taking power out to a large part of town. Haddam Firefighters responded to multiple incidents, assisted with moving Emergency Management shelter equipment, and helped where ever possible during the storm and the cleanup.
Training during November included a trip to a new Class A burn facility in New Haven, and practicing ladders/chimney fires and self contained breathing apparatus. On Sunday, November 13th, approximately 18 members spent the day at a newly dedicated training facility in New Haven. The building, built with cement and lined with temperature resistant tiles, can have fires built in various rooms. Firefighters can practice many skills needed when attempting search and rescue inside a home, as well as fire extinguishment. With live actual fires of pallets and hay, conditions very similar to that of an actual structure fire can be achieved. The heat, smoke and poor visibility are very similar. Firefighters searched on multiple levels for potential victims of the fires, as other teams tracked down the origin of the fire and put them out.
Later that month, Firefighters put ladders up at the Veteran’s Museum in Higganum Center and practiced working on top of that 2 ½ story structure. While that was going on, another team worked to extinguish a simulated chimney fire in the other part of the building at the same time yet another team wearing self contained breathing apparatus crawled into the attic to simulate checking for extension.
Steve Bates completed the training and certification process as an Emergency Medical Technician. Steve brings the total number of certified Emergency Medical Responders (EMRs and EMTs) in the Fire Company to 24. Haddam Fire responds to all serious emergency medical 911 requests as the town’s designated First Responder organization.
The Fall Middlesex County Fire School Firefighter I class that Haddam Fire is hosting is nearing completion of the firefighting phase. On Sunday, December 4th, the class traveled to the Connecticut Fire Academy in Windsor Locks for a live burn. There, the Probationary Firefighters practiced search and rescue, hose line advancement and car fire extinguishment with training props consisting of very hot propane fires. Following the practical exercises, the students had a brief tour of the rest of the Academy and visited the Fallen Firefighters’ Memorial where Haddam Volunteer Fire Co.’s John Bertolini’s name is inscribed.
Haddam Residents are reminded to be extra careful in the winter months with regards to fire prevention. Alternate heating sources must be watched and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications. Wood stoves should be installed by professionals, and chimneys cleaned as needed. Do not delay calling the Fire Company if you suspect any complication with a chimney. Chimney fires in an older or improperly installed chimney may travel into the surrounding woodwork and start a complete structure fire. Chimneys that are plugged or not drafting properly may force deadly carbon monoxide into the living areas of the house. Please make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors have fresh batteries and are working properly. Test them frequently.
