Never thought of that....

Oh no, now you've giving me something else to worry about!

I gave Trish a little background on why I submitted this safety tip:

I actually know someone who this happened to. A friend was asked to watch her neighbor's home while they were away on vacation. About 1 week. She entered the house, changed the lighting, drapes, blinds, open and closed to show "change". She opened the drapes in a child's room. There was a glass of water on the sill that she may or may not have noticed. The morning sun shone in the next day, reflected through the glass and water. The beam of reflected light landed on the bedspread. It was like using a magnifying glass to start a fire... and it worked. The house burned. Freak situation but if one is aware of this scenario they will prevent it from happening.

WOW!

I can see that. Susie it was great of you to point it out!

Ow, ow, ow! You know I won't be able to sleep tonite? I have window sills of spontaneous combustibles.

OMG, how horrible! I don't put mine in direct sun because of algae growth, but I will sure pass this on. Thanks!

Wow, I did not know this could happen. Fortunately all my plants in the windows are in pots, not jars of water.

This incident would probably be a freak event... as it was when it happened to my friend. But, it can happen given the "perfect storm".

Kinda makes you wonder what other accidents can present themselves.

Just be aware.

I was left with a scorched spot on the windowsill.It looked like a cigarette burn. How must the plant feel?

GREAT tip! Thank you!

Glad you pointed that out to all of us. No plants on window sills here and there won't be any in the future. Thanks for sharing that tip.

Susie, how in the world did the firemarshal manage to deduce that's how the fire started. Wouldn't he have needed to know there was a galls of water on the windowsill? I mean, I guess I'm amazed he managed to figure it out.

would never think of something like this happening.. even if I had a good sunny window .. but I don't

WOWSER I would never have thought of this happing either. Good thing I don't have any sunny windows. GREAT safety tip Aguane

The house is in Palo Alto CA. It's a small bungalow style. It didn't burn down totally. Just that bedroom wing mostly. Fire forensics are pretty sharp. My friend the house sitter talked with the investigators, too. It is certain that's how the fire started.

Oh I didn't doubt that's how it started Susie. I'm just amazed that they had the smarts to figure it out. And since we're on the subject --- I always make sure not to leave a pair of reading glasses anywhere that the sun might concievably come through a window & shine through the glasses & start a fire.

Good point about the eyeglasses!

Speaking if the eyeglasses, one of the guys that I work with always left his glasses in his car. The same thing happened, he went to get in his car and had a spot burning on the seat from the sun shining through his eyeglasses. I'm glad you said this tip, cause I never thought of that in the windowsill.