NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- The fire that killed 11 people in a suburban New Orleans apartment Thursday shows the need for new federal safety standards for mattresses, a spokesman for a federal agency that sets such standards said.
Scott Wolfson, of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, said the prevalence of more candles in the home has led to growing concern about combustible materials such as mattresses in the home.
Wolfson said California just implemented new regulations in January for fire resistant mattresses, and the CPSC is considering tougher national standards.
``It could save hundreds of lives,'' Wolfson said.
Eleven members of a family died Thursday in an early morning fire ignited by the candles they lit because their new apartment had no electricity. Jefferson Parish Sheriff Harry Lee said the family moved in the day before and were using candles for light or heat.
A special report in 2001 from the CPSC showed that while deaths from residential fires had been greatly reduced from 4,500 in 1980 to 2,660 in 1998, those caused by candles have increased dramatically.
Candle deaths increased 750 percent from 1980 (20 deaths) to 1998 (170 deaths), according to the CPSC report. In most cases, candles caused house fires when they were left unattended, tipped over and ignited nearby combustibles.
Almost half of home candle fires start in the bedroom. Mattresses or bedding are the most common items that ignite. Tealights and tapers are common culprits in candle fires.
The report showed that house fires have dropped from 655,000 in 1980 to 332,300 in 1998, the latest year for which data is available. In contrast, house fires caused by candles have increased, from 8,500 in 1980 to 12,900 in 1998.
The CPSC issued the following reminders:
_ Keep matches, lighters and candles away from children
_ Never leave burning candles unattended
_ Keep combustible materials away from candles
_ Don't put candles in a location where children or pets could knock them down
_ Use only nonflammable candle holders
_ Always trim the wicks before lighting
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