The holiday season, be it Hanukkah or Christmas, has a long tradition with candles – whether it is a menorah, advent wreath, Swedish Santa Lucia Crown or candle wreath, or any of a dozen or more other symbols. But for whatever reasons people use candles in their homes, they can be dangerous. Teton County Fire Marshal Kathy Clay points out that this time of year, candles are a frequent cause of house fires.
“They must be attended at all times. I urge anyone who thinks they need to have a candle to consider other options. There are battery-operated candles, and there are ways of getting nice smells in your house that don’t involve candles.”
Clay also points out that in addition to candles burning down while unattended and igniting materials nearby, people who have pets or children in the house run the risk of the candles being knocked over causing a fire and/or injury to the child or pet.
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