THE EDITOR, Sir:

WITH THE annual hurricane season almost upon us and with much talk in the air recently about the possibility of a new round of unrest from the Jamaica Public Service workers, this may be as good a time as any to talk about the matter of blackouts and load-sheddings.

More specifically, I wish to raise the question of the principal source of lighting which most of us quickly resort to in such emergencies - which is to say the use of candles.

For years now, I have been extremely concerned about these invaluable little devices which we all tend to turn to at one time or another, when the need arises. In addition, we should also bear in mind the fact that for many people within the population, particularly the very poor or those who live in electrically challenged areas, 'candle power' is still the main source of lighting, especially at night.

I do not know whether any surveys have been done identifying candles as being the actual causeof many of the otherwise 'mysterious' fires which so regularly occur in domestic settings.

My own suspicion is that the figure here could be very high. Or, put another way, I believe that household candles have, over the years, been responsible for more death and destruction than we may ever be able to accurately quantify.

I am in no position to say whether the candles which are on sale on the local market are made in Jamaica or are imported from some other part of the world. What I can say is that in terms of their performance, they all seem to share in common at least one major failing.

On several occasions, in the past when I have had to use locally-purchased candles, I have noticed that as the wax begins to melt away a real transformation takes place. The candles no longer remain straight or rigid. Instead, they often soften-up, curve, bend or even double-over while still carrying a burning wick at the top.

During the post-Ivan experience when for several days thereafter many of us had to 'live by the candle', I readily recall several occasions when for whatever reason, I returned to check on a candle I may have placed in a room or on some table or dresser. I arrive just in time to avert a disaster by catching a wilting candle that was about to burn the surface upon which it was left.

In the light of the continuing news reports about so many of these 'mystery fires' which cause so much havoc and tragedy particularly in inner-city areas where 'unattended candles' remain a standard feature of life, I am making a plea to those who are in authority (Bureau of Standards, Fire Brigade, etc.,) to do a proper scientific survey/examination of candles that are sold on the local market.

Speaking purely as a consumer, it is my contention that a significant proportion of these items are substandard, downright dangerous and should be banned from supermarket and other shelves for reasons that should be entirely obvious to everyone.

I am, etc.,

Dr. LESLIE A. TOBY

General medical practioner

Bog Walk Medical Centre