Dumb Q about candles on christmas trees for Americans

[carlosMM]

Is it true, and if, in what states, that in some states real candles are illegal? That is, you are not allowed to have real candles with open flames on your Christmas tree, indoors or outdoors?

please enlighten me!

 

[DvR]

Seems rather fair to me, otherwise the local firefighters wouldn't have so much of a christmass for themselves..

 

[Aphex_Twin]

Have you ever seen a pine go up in flames in seconds?

 

[carlosMM]

Originally posted by Aphex_Twin
Have you ever seen a pine go up in flames in seconds?

ahem, yes, that's why we prefer other trees, like firs, for Christmas trees in Europe

OK, another point is that you all live in sheds made from wood, not proper stone or brick houses

 

[Aphex_Twin]

Firs fire up just as easily (speaking from experience).

And what do you mean by "you people"?

 

[Superevie]

Never heard of this before, AND I'm an american. Candles used to be used to decorate christmas trees before the invention of string lights. Now, we have no use for the candles, as all they are now are only a hazard. Not sure about this whole "illegal to use them" thing though. Now I'm curious.

 

[carlosMM]

Originally posted by Aphex_Twin
Firs fire up just as easily (speaking from experience).

Weir, put them in a holder with water and they will burn slowly - unless you pick a very sappy one....

And what do you mean by "you people"?

I'm just (goodnaturedly) kidding Americans here

 

[Aphex_Twin]

Originally posted by carlosMM
I'm just (goodnaturedly) kidding Americans here

Everybody needs a good laugh now and then, and since there are so many Americans here . And no, I am not a nephew of Sam

 

[Bozo Erectus]

Burning candles on a tree inside of a house? Sounds like a great way to needlessly increase by 1000% the chances of the family roasting to death.

 

[carlosMM]

Originally posted by Dumb pothead
Burning candles on a tree inside of a house? Sounds like a great way to needlessly increase by 1000% the chances of the family roasting to death.

Strangely, the normal fires on Christmas here get started by people who smoke a cigar too much in bed......

obviously, there are a few rules to follow: place candles so that the flame cannot ignite the branch above, secure candles in spoecial holders that keep them from burning down to the branch, place a burn-proof sheet of wax-paper or so under your tree, remove anything that might burn from the vincinity etc..... and: Keep a bucket of water next to the tree.......

 

[Hitro]

I'd prefer no candles at all to artificial ones. Real they have to be.

 

[SeleucusNicator]

I've never heard of real candles of Christmas trees being illegal in the United States. Then again, I've never heard of real candles being used here in the United States. Not during my lifetime, at least.

When my parents were growing up in Poland, however, they used real candles. They each have several amusing stories with these. Apparently, the standard protocol for if the tree caught on fire was to throw it out the window. My father claims that on the day after Christmas you could walk through the town and see dozens of smoldering trees on people's front lawns.