JumpStart by Robb Armstrong for November 22, 2014

See, instead of picking nits over who left the candle burning or whether Joe “asked” or “demanded” Marcy not leave the thing unattended, we should focus on that first statement above.

I almost got burned out of my apartment once because an unwell elderly neighbor propped a candle—the long thin type that goes on a candelabra—between two books…on her BED…and then forgot about it when she stepped out.

Candles and fireworks are arguably the two stupidest things we can’t seem to let go of, no matter how much tragedy they cause.

…Oh, look at that, Marcy’s not even listening. (sarcastic clapping)

There’s nothing like using the funny pages for some cheap proselytizing…pay close attention to the finger wagging in case the text doesn’t put you in your place.

A ‘public service’ comic strip. And if you haven’t done so lately, you should probably check your smoke detector.

The correct way to test a smoke detector is to actually see if it detects smoke (like a cigarette or a burning piece of paper or string placed in an ashtray and held near the detector). Just pushing the button only tests the battery. A fresh battery in a smoke detector that doesn’t work won’t save your life.

Just look at that smug expression on Joe’s face! . . . Good advice, though.

Maybe it’s preachy, but it’s good advice nonetheless. We lost a friend to a candle fire earlier this year. It shouldn’t happen.

THE PRECEDING WAS A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT BROUGHT TO YOU BY JOE COBBwho cares enough to risk being irritating

Is this Joe’s brother or Marcy’s?

Sorry Marcy.

And Joe called out an on duty fire truck and crew at taxpayer’s expense to lecture his wife about candles. Good waste of public services. I hope the house with an actual emergency can wait for their response.

Hmm, 18.000 candle caused fires/year with something like 50,000,000 households.

You’d need about 3,000 years to have a 50% chance of having a candle fire in any given home.

Not to say one should not take precautions but it’s not exactly hysteria inducing stats.

That’s the problem with living in an apartment building. You have no control over what others do – smoking, leaving candles unattended and apparently a common thing….leaving a pot on a stove burner.

[furry-faced grin] Wonderful comic Robb!!! Very real!++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Be safe!