The Covington leader. (Covington, Tenn.) 18??-current, 1920-12-22
+ AN INSANE SUGGESTION
FOR CHRISTMAS TINE

The insane suggestion of lighted
window candle for Christmas Eve,
with its inevitable tragic consequen-
ces, has again made its appearance,
it was stated today by the National
Board Of Fire Underwriters.
John H. Stedman, of Rochester, N.
Y, has originated what he calls a
Christ Candle" movement and has
sent out a pamphlet urging that it
Re adopted in all the homes Of the
country. This highly dangerous bit
Of sentimentality is based upon the
"old tradition" that "a lighted candle
set in the window on Christmas Eve
viii guide the Babe of Bethlehem to
your home that he might bring you
aappiness.p This suggestion has
been published by a magazine Of
national circulation.
The last time that a proposition
nalogous to this was put forth was
in December, 1917, when the Ameri-
am Red Cross suggested that paper
Red Cross "service flags be place.
IN all windows with lighted candle
behind them. The National Board Of
Tire Underwriters Immediately called
the attention of the Washington
leaduuarters of the American Red
Cross to the fact that lighted candle
in close proximity to window curtains,
as it would be in a large percentage
Of cases, would inevitably lead to
hundreds, perhaps thousands Of fires,
with the probability of many fatal
tiles. The Red Cross officials acted
immediately by telegraphing all chap
ters throughout the country as fol-
lows;
Immediate action. National Board
Of Fire Underwriters feels Christmas
Eve ceremony involves fire risk and,
in view of their judgment, desire to
do all possible TO guard against risk.
Please instruct chapter heads and
workers and give wide publicity
through press concerning fire hazard
involved and Importance Of not using
a lighted candle. Be sure direction is
given for taking down of all curtains,
so that homes of less intelligent
classes will not be endangered, then
Christmas Eve observance can be
carried through by raising Of shades
and letting light of room illuminate
the service flag in the window, or an
electric flashlight, as suggested, could
he used on service flag. National
BOARD does not expect us to withhold
4av Dnsters or ADVERTISING already
!"
They also prepared the following
notice for display in moving picture
theatres:
IMPORTANT NOTICEl Do not
nut lighted candle behind the Red
Cross Service flag" in your window
upon Christmas Eve; to do so might |
cause fire. Your flag will be suffi-
GENTLY displayed if you merely raise
The shade or draw the curtains and
have the room illuminated"
SO prompt and energetic was their
action that the consequences CT the
dangerous suggestion were averteu.
Fire prevention forces are spending
much time and energy in the effort
10 educate the public in common sense
1t is therefore discon.
,erting when magazine Of great
influence gives currency to sugges-
lion which violates the most funda-
mental dictates of common sense.
The reality Of the danger involved
appears in the fact that figures Just
compiled by the National Board Of
show that there was
approximately $l7,50OOOO worth Of |
damage done by fires caused by open
lights In the years 1915 to 1919, in.
elusive. not to mention the loss of
life Incurred.