Craft Gossip

The largest independent craft review site since 2007

Fuel Gel Candles Officially Banned in Suffolk County

by

Michael Hubbard was severely burned when a gel-fueled firepot exploded in May 2011.

On August 16, 2011, Suffolk County officially banned the gel-fuel by passing “Michael’s Law”. This will hopefully help prevent other families from the same fate. Michael remains in serious condition at the hospital.

Also, almost half a million pots of gel-fuel have been recalled by Napa Home and Garden.  The pots do not have wicks and it’s hard to see whether they’re still burning, which may lead people to try to relight them. To make matters worse, when the gel is lit, it’s difficult to put out and sticks to the skin.

According to CPSC, there have now been 23 reports of burn injuries from gel-fuel. If you still have either NAPAFire or FIREGEL fuel, you’re advised to return it for a refund.

Read These Next

Have you read?

Hanukkah Unit Studies for Kids

Learning about Hanukkah is important for people of all faiths as a reminder that December isn’t just about Christmas and that their are many other important holidays that happen during this time. Hanukkah unit studies can give you ideas for incorporating the holiday into your holiday studies that happen in December, or to use at home for learning about people of different faiths.

Homeschool Superfreak has a lot of basic ideas for how to build a Hanukkah unit study, as well as FAQs about what Hanukkah is and why it is celebrated. This list is a good stargint point but doesn’t include all the details you’ll need. For example it says you can play the dreidel game but doesn’t explain how to do that or why it’s important. (If you need that information, this post from Mama Smiles is a good source.)

Teachers Pay Teachers has lots of great lesson plans and activities if you’re willing to pay a little bit to get some good content. Two I really like are this Hanukkah PowerPoint presentation from Shelia Melton, which provides a good overview of traditions, food and the history of Hanukkah; and a virtual field trip to Jerusalem from MagiCore, which includes lots of videos showing the city and activities like playing dreidel, drawing a menorah and making latkes. It’s a Google Drive folder and also includes writing activities and more for kids in second to fifth grade.

Kids Activities Blog has some simple printables with facts about Hanukkah and things kids can color in like a Star of David, sufganiyots (jelly doughnuts) and a menorah. These are great for learning the basics.

Homeschool Giveaways has a printable ebook about Hanukkah complete with questions kids can answer after they read. This would be a good one for older kids with good reading comprehension.

NurtureStore’s Hanukkah unit study includes a printable mini book, tons of crafts, as well as math and writing activities. I love the dominoes game that’s part of the unit.

And check out our previous posts for more Hanukkah crafts and learning activities!