The chief and members of the Levittown Fire Department wish all residents a safe and happy holiday season. All too often though, you read in the papers or see reports on TV of terrible fire disasters. Most were preventable. Many of the worst fires are from misuse of candles. Children + Pets + Children = Disaster. Unless you can stand guard over a lighted candle, the fire department would recommend using the new battery operated candles now readily available. Real candles are too much of a temptation for children and curious pets. You wouldn't keep matches or lighters where children can get them (FD hopes you wouldn't). A lighted candle is just as bad.

If you don't have children or pets to worry about and like the real candles, the fire department offers a few suggestions on safe use of candles.

• Keep candles away from drafty areas and all flammable objects and materials.

• Never use an aerosol spray near a candle. The vapor ignites easily.

• Unattended candles are an invitation to disaster. Snuff out candles before leaving or going to bed. Blowing them out doesn't do the trick. Extinguish them by wetting the wick.

• Jar candles are safer than freestanding candles.

• For the Christmas luminaries, use 15-hour votive candles in holders, placed in paper bags filled with 2-inches of sand. This is the kicker. The candle must be of a size that will allow adequate space between the candle and the bag, so as not to ignite the bag! What nut came up with that idea?

Keep wicks trimmed to 1/4 inch at all times. This inhibits smoking and carbon buildup and provides a cleaner bur