It was a large, noisy family gathering. The college students were back from school, and a crackling fireplace and lighted candles added to the festivities. Leslie looked forward to some home cooking, and catching up on everyone's activities. She picked up a paper plate, held a paper napkin under the plate, and eyed the goodies.
However, she didn't keep an eye on the candle, which ignited the napkin when she reached for some food. Fortunately, Carole was on the other side of the dining room table and saw what was happening. She snatched the napkin from Leslie's hand and extinguished the flames.
About 3,000 people die annually in home fires. Annual "Fire Prevention Week" is held in the Sunday through Saturday containing October 9th. That is the date of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and it serves as a somber reminder of the perils of fire, whether caused by a smelly cow or a scented candle.
Waxing Eloquent On Candles
From kids to college students to grandparents, candles are the rage. Unfortunately, they cause thousands of fires each year. The National Fire Protection Association offers these warnings when using candles.
* Keep candles away from all combustible items and flammable liquids.
* Place candles in sturdy, noncombustible holders that won't tip over and are big enough to collect dripping wax.
* Don't place lighted candles in windows. Blinds or curtains can be inadvertently closed over them.
* Never leave a child unattended in a room with a lighted candle, or place a candle where children or pets could knock it over.
* Extinguish all candles when you leave the room or go to sleep.
* Do not use water to extinguish a candle. The wax can splatter, or the flame could flare.
* Use battery-powered lights in a power outage. Keep extra batteries and bulbs on hand.
Hot Advice
Smoking is the leading cause of fatalities due to fires in the U.S., with more than 800 deaths annually.
* Do not smoke when medicated or sleepy, after consuming alcoholic beverages, and never in bed.
* Use deep, nontip ashtrays and empty them frequently. Douse the ashes with water, or flush them down the toilet.
* Check in and around upholstery cushions for smoldering butts before leaving home or going to sleep. More fatal smoking fires begin in family rooms or living rooms, not in bedrooms.
* When you have guests who smoke, provide plenty of ashtrays. Empty wastebaskets and lift cushions and feel around in furniture crevices after they leave.
Some More Precautions
Playing with matches and lighters is the leading cause of fire deaths for children under age six.
* Teach children to respect fire as a tool, not a toy. If they play with matches or lighters and don't respond to your efforts to redirect their interests, seek professional counseling.
* Keep matches and lighters out of sight and reach of children, preferably in a locked cabinet. Teach children to bring them to an adult if they find them.
* Use only child-resistant lighters.
* Never let children use matches or lighters.
* Keep halogen lamps away from furnishings, draperies, high traffic areas, children and pets. Only use lamps with a metal grate and a thermal protector. Use bulbs of 300 watts or less.
* When drying clothes, hang them a safe distance from stoves, heaters and other sources of fire.
* Keep the clothes dryer free of lint. Vacuum the interior lint pathway and duct at least once a year. Consumer Reports recommends the use of metal ducts.
* Keep storage areas neat. Get rid of newspapers, rubbish, old clothes, oily rags and damp waste.
Many of the break-ins will take place without any indication of forced entry, where as some crimes result from unlocked doors, lock picking, use of unauthorized duplicate key or bumping. This is when locksmith Los Angeles proves to be of great assistance, as they assist in protecting your property. Locksmith offers various solutions for locksmith and security need options to pick from. Few of the common services offered by Los Angeles locksmiths include:
?House lockouts ?Unlock cars ?Re key your home any time ?Commercial locksmith solutions ?Novel car keys
There are various types of door locks and each lock is not equal. From Masterlock to Schlage to Medeco there are host of makes to select from and each one of them provides varying security. Also, every lock brand might be slightly different. They might appear same, but the each door takes only specific sized locks. You can have multiple keys for all doors or one single key for all doors or have deadbolt along with thumb latch with keys on both sides or should you change your locks? When it comes to the security of your house, it is advisable to not to bear any kind of risk and show leniency. Locksmith la then can be approached to make out all the possible options for changing the lock. They will show keen interest in installing locks onsite with the intention of keeping your family and home absolutely safe.
It is confusing to discern that which process must be implemented to enhance the security of your home. Whether you should rekey your locks or not or simply get help, form a professional. Rekey is a specific area which locksmith holds expertise in, so you must call a locksmith and discover all the finest security option for you.
Apart house keys, Los Angeles locksmiths also hold great knowledge about the car keys. Car keys perform several functions, it starts on the car, unlocks the door, opens glove box and trunk. As few times, the car key should be provided a valet, few cars come along valet keys, which limit entrance to ignition and doors. Several keys allow the people to open their vehicle wirelessly. With a single click of a button, the car owner unlocks the car, and even trunk, set the alarm off and in few cases starts a car. In case, if anywhere you lose your car keys, you may feel helpless; this is the time, when you need to approach a locksmith. Locksmith will assist you in making the duplicate keys for your car and enable you to access your car.
The best part about locksmiths is that they have exclusive tools, which can easily read the locks on your door or car and even mail box. They carry equipments the devices to program especially your vehicle key along with the right transponder keys. Also, they are capable of drilling a novel installation for the deadbolts or the previous deadbolt again. The locksmith la can re key the current lock as well. They will change the pins of the lock to fit a new combination of key, which means that you keep the same old keys but alter the way of accessing it.
Both John Myre & E Service Inc are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
John Myre has sinced written about articles on various topics from Cars, Children and Home. John Myre is the author of the award-winning book, , and the publisher of the. John Myre's top article generates over 14800 views. to your Favourites.
E Service Inc has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home. E service inc is the author of this article on . Find more information relating to. E Service Inc's top article generates over 4400 views. to your Favourites.