Before the Day of the Dead, the National Fire Service warns of the prevention of fires in cemeteries or apartments, mostly caused by the lighting of candlesticks and candles. KatastDirectorate General of Rodent Protection (OKF) in its announcement sent to MTI.
They remind that there were 98 fires in or around cemeteries last year.
Most of the time, in 66 cases, the vegetation and dry debris of the cemetery caught fire. Although in most cases the flames only destroyed a few square meters, in some places they also spread to the area next to the cemetery, and an extensive outdoor fire spread over several hectares. A total of 330,000 square meters of land was burned; 17 times, the garbage cans placed in the cemetery caught fire, and in 15 cases, the wreaths placed on the graves caught fire, they explained.
It was also pointed out that many people also light candlesticks and candles at home, which can also lead to house fires. Between the end of October and the beginning of November last year, there were fires in 13 cemeteries; in the same period, flames broke out in 12 residential buildings because of mercy candles and candlesticks, they recalled.
In order to prevent cemetery fires, clean the surroundings of the grave from dry leaves, withered wreaths and flowers – advises the disaster management.
“We should only light a candle in a heat-resistant candle holder! Place the candle so that there is no combustible material near it and that it cannot tip over. Extinguish the burning candle before leaving the grave! And don’t throw glowing, hot objects into the waste bin placed in the cemetery!” they wrote.
They indicated: the most common cause of apartment fires is that a burning wick or candle is placed too close to some combustible material.
If the candle or wick is placed on a fireproof bowl, away from flammable objects, it will not overheat the environment and the commemoration will not lead to a house fire. Do not leave a lit candle unattended! they wrote.
In the announcement, they also mentioned that those who celebrate Halloween and make a pumpkin lantern, make sure that the lantern cannot tip over and that there is nothing near it that can catch fire. Those who place pumpkin lanterns outside should use battery-powered LED bulbs instead of candles and candlesticks! This does not cause a fire even if the wind blows dry tree leaves there or knocks over the pumpkin lantern, reads the OKF announcement.