From the desk of Fire Marshal Fred Baker

The holidays are approaching, which means festive decorations and what's more festive than the glow of candles? Candles add a warm, welcoming feeling to any occasion, but if not used safely, the most festive occasions can quickly be ruined. Following are a few tips to keep us safe for the holidays:

Keep combustible decorations such as evergreens or other decorations at least one foot away from candles;

Make sure candles are out of reach of children and pets;

Always place candles on/in noncombustible bases;

Ensure there is nothing directly over candles;

Trim candle wicks to ¼ inch each time before burning. Long or crooked wicks cause uneven burning and dripping;

Always keep a burning candle within sight. Extinguish all candles when leaving a room or before going to sleep;

Keep burning candles away from drafts, vents, ceiling fans or other air currents;

Make sure smoke and CO (carbon monoxide) detectors are properly operating;

Have a great Thanksgiving!

For further questions regarding this or other fire safety issues, contact the New Canaan Fire Marshal's Office at 203-594-3030.