So, what can we do to change these frightful statistics? Here are some safety tips:

• Extinguish all candles when leaving the room or going to sleep.
• Keep candles away from items that catch fire.
• Use sturdy candleholders that are made of non-burnable materials.
• Keep candles and all open flames away from flammable liquids.
• Keep candlewicks trimmed to one-quarter inch and extinguish taper and pillar candles when they get to within two inches of the holder. Votives and containers should be extinguished before the last half-inch of wax starts to melt.
• Keep candles away from gas powered appliances.
• Avoid carrying a lit candle. Use a flashlight.
• Be extra careful with animals in the home. They can upset candles.

When children are present:

• Keep candles up high and out of reach of children.
• Never leave children unattended in a room with a candle. A child should not sleep in a roomwith a lit candle.
• Keep all matches and lighters up high and out of the sight of children, preferably in a locked cabinet

I am sure many of you are saying, what about during power outages? If you do use candles during power outages, remember these important items:

• Avoid carrying a lit candle. Don‚Äôt bring candles into closets or confined areas. Use a flashlight
• NEVER USE A CANDLE FOR LIGHT WHEN CHECKING PILOT LIGHTS or fueling equipment such as generators, kerosene heaters, or lanterns.
• Extinguish all candles when leaving home or when going to sleep. Remember, if you go out, blow them out “
• Don’t allow children to use candles without supervision‚ at any time!

Flashlights and other battery-operated lighting are much safer light sources, that can, and should, be used during power outages. Another safe alternative is the “glowstick” found at most hardware or sporting goods stores.

Candles are beautiful, and when used in a safe manner.

Did you know that you should replace your smoke detector after it’s ten years old? Recent studies have show that older detectors are slower to react to fires. Older smoke detectors are also estimated to have a 30% probability of failure within the first 10 years. Newer smoke detectors do better, but should be replaced after 10 years. Just pushing the test button is no guarantee that an older smoke detector is 100% functional. The test button just ensures the battery sounds the warning horn.

Several different types of smoke detectors can be purchased. Once, one had to decided which type of sensor they wanted in their smoke detector: ionization or photocell. Today, dual sensor detectors are available for little more than a single sensor model. Smoke detectors can also be found with automatic lights, combination smoke and carbon monoxide detector and detectors for deaf or hearing impaired.

Upgrading your smoke detectors is easy and inexpensive. You can purchase highly effective dual sensor smoke detectors for under $30.

Today, the NFPA recommends a smoke detector inside each bedroom and one on each floor. For the elderly I would also recommend one outside the kitchen equipped with a silence feature. Frequently the elderly forget they started to cook something and get distracted. The silence feature or hush button will keep them from removing the battery when those accidents do happen. Placement, especially for those smoke detectors, is important. It should be within several feet of the kitchen, preferable in a hallway just outside of the kitchen. The hush button should be reached without using a stool or chair.

Smoke Detectors require very little maintenance, but do need to be dusted occasionally. Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions about cleaning. Combine cleaning with the bi-annual battery change. Cobwebs and dust usually can be removed with a vacuum cleaner attachment. If you are going to be doing work nearby that could send dust in the air, cover the detector with a shield. Remove the shield promptly after work is completed.

If you have smoke detectors but they are in difficult to reach places, consider changing to lithium 9-volt batteries. These batteries will last 10 years in most smoke detectors. Lithium 9-volt batteries are ideal for the elderly since they can have difficulty getting to the detectors.
If you are not sure how old your smoke detector is, use this simple rule: if the plastic shell has turned yellow, most likely it is more than 8 years old.