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Put That Candle Out Before You Leave!

By
Real Estate Agent with REMAX Distinctive Real Estate, Inc. VA 0225060562

As homeowners, we've all been tempted to light a nicely scented candle to get rid of some underlying odor - pets, smoke, the lingering odor of garlic from dinner, or just a stale smell.  Never is this practiced more that at the holidays.  We not only want our home smelling festive, but lighted candles add a wonderful glow which electric lighting simply cannot duplicate.  It doesn't matter what holiday we are celebrating, candles are a universal symbol of warmth and beauty.

      

The Consumer Protection Safety Commission has released today a list of tips for those of us decorating for the holidays.  This is especially helpful for those of us decorating and SELLING our homes during the holidays.  We all know a beautifully staged home for the holidays is a wonderful way to increase buyer traffic and give the home an added "wow" factor.  However, simple oversights can have alarming consequences.

 "CPSC estimates there are more than 14,000 candle-related fires each year, which result in about 170 deaths and $350 million in property loss. Dried-out Christmas trees are involved in about 200 fires annually, resulting in 10 deaths, and about $10 million in property damage. During November and December of each year, about 10,000 people are treated in hospital emergency rooms as a result of falls, cuts, shocks and burns related to holiday decorating."

While many of us apply common sense when dealing with holiday decorations, it is particularly important to review some of these tips provided by the CPSC to help ensure our family's safety.

 Trees and Decorations:

  • When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label "Fire Resistant." Although this label does not mean the tree won't catch fire, it does indicate the tree is more resistant to burning.
  • When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green, needles are hard to pull from branches and do not break when bent between your fingers. The bottom of a fresh tree is sticky with resin, and when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles.
  • When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces and radiators. Because heated rooms dry out live trees rapidly, be sure to keep the stand filled with water. Place the tree out of the way of traffic, and do not block doorways.
  • Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree. Choose tinsel or artificial icicles of plastic or nonleaded metals. Leaded materials are hazardous if ingested by children.
  • In homes with small children,
    • take special care to avoid sharp or breakable decorations,
    • keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children who could swallow or inhale small pieces,
    • and avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a child to eat them.
  • To avoid eye and skin irritation, wear gloves when decorating with spun glass "angel hair."
  • To avoid lung irritation, follow container directions carefully while decorating with artificial snow sprays.

  

Lights:

  • Indoors or outside, use only lights that have been tested for safety by a nationally-recognized testing laboratory, such as UL or ETL/ITSNA. Use only newer lights that have thicker wiring and are required to have safety fuses to prevent the wires from overheating.
  • Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. Throw out damaged sets.
  • If using an extension cord, make sure it is rated for the intended use.
  • Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted.
  • When using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use and only plug them into a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protected receptacles or a portable GFCI.
  • Turn off all holiday lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire.

 Candles:

  • Keep burning candles within sight.
  • Keep lighted candles away from items that can catch fire and burn easily, such as trees, other evergreens, decorations, curtains and furniture.
  • Always use non-flammable holders and keep away from children and pets.
  • Extinguish all candles before you go to bed, leave the room or leave the house.

 

Fireplaces:

  • Use care with "fire salts," which produce colored flames when thrown on wood fires. They contain heavy metals that, if eaten, can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation and vomiting. Keep them away from children.
  • Do not burn wrapping paper or plastic items in the fireplace. These materials can ignite suddenly and burn intensely, resulting in a flash fire.
  • Place a screen around your fireplace to prevent sparks from igniting nearby flammable materials.

Source:  US Consumer Protection Safety Commission

Irene Morales Ward, Northern Virginia Real Estate

Posted by

  Irene Morales Ward

Realtor, e-Pro

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IreneWardRemax@gmail.com

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LEGAL DISCLAIMERS: Any communication provided to you regarding specific mortgage products is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon by you.  Neither REMAX Distinctive Real Estate, Inc. nor Irene Morales Ward, Realtor® are mortgage lenders and so you should contact the entity providing the specific mortgage product(s) directly to learn more about its mortgage products and your eligibility for such products.

 

 

Comments (7)

Tom and Stephanie Hansson
Cortiers Real Estate - College Station, TX
Hansson and Hansson Real Estate Team
Irene,  These are such good reminders for the holidays.  But it brings up another question.  What about the candles that sellers leave burning when they are expecting a showing?  Should we blow them out when we are finished showing?  You don't know if there is another showing after you, or when the sellers are planning on returning.  I haven't quite decided, what's your idea?
Nov 29, 2007 02:25 AM
Irene Morales Ward
REMAX Distinctive Real Estate, Inc. - Stafford, VA
Realtor - e-Pro - Northern Virginia Real Estate
Stephanie - That's a tough one but I do know that if it is my listing, I take responsibility and blow them out.  My sellers know how I feel about this ahead of time so they know if I enter the home and no one is there, I'm going to blow that candle out.  As a buyer's agent, I've turned a candle out only once because I wasn't sure where the sellers were (whether they stepped out around the corner or whether they were out for the day).  I had called the listing agent to let her know and she thanked me.  I can't imagine why anyone would be upset by that but better safe than sorry.
Nov 29, 2007 02:32 AM
Lindsey Hasford
Edina Realty - Elk River, MN
Bringing you home...
What a good reminder! I have always felt that unless otherwise specified in the showing instructions - that I leave the house the way I found it. It the candle looked dangerous I probably would blow it out. Thanks for thoughts.
Nov 29, 2007 02:35 AM
Dee Dawson
Keller Williams - South Riding, VA
Northern Virginia Real Estate
Hi Irene - I lit cinammon-scented candles during my last open house. When I was ready to leave I blew one out and moved it...dripped wax all over me, my suit, and the floors. Of course, it was then that another couple decided to come through. Candles are hazardous to my health! --Dee--
Nov 29, 2007 02:44 AM
Irene Morales Ward
REMAX Distinctive Real Estate, Inc. - Stafford, VA
Realtor - e-Pro - Northern Virginia Real Estate
Lindsey - I usually leave all lights, doors, etc, the way I found them.  That would include lit Christmas trees. The only time I've found a candle burning other than the one I blew out was when the sellers were sitting outside.  They had obviously just finished dinner and I'm sure were trying to disguise some odors.  But I'm with you - if it looks dangerous, common sense tells you to blow it out.
Nov 29, 2007 02:50 AM
Kathy Passarette
Creative Home Expressions - Mount Sinai, NY
L.I. Staging/Decorating
Irene ~ Excellent tips that bear repeating!  Too many people think it can't happen to them.  Use common sense, especially in this rushed time of year.
Nov 29, 2007 02:59 AM
Irene Morales Ward
REMAX Distinctive Real Estate, Inc. - Stafford, VA
Realtor - e-Pro - Northern Virginia Real Estate

Dee - What a horror story!  I prefer the candles in glass - at least you're somewhat protected from the wax drippings. 

Kathy - I'm burning a pumpkin spice one as we speak in my kitchen and now I'm paranoid because I can't see it!  Of course, it's on granite and near nothing that will burn but still.....

Nov 29, 2007 03:02 AM