Candle Burning
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During 2001, an estimated 18,000 home fires started by candles were reported to public fire departments. These fires resulted in an estimated 190 civilian deaths, 1,450 civilian injuries and an estimated direct property loss of $265 million.
Home candle fires rose 15% from 2000 to 2001 to hit their 22-year peak in 2001, the latest year for which data is available.
Candle fires accounted for an estimated 5% of all reported home fires.
Two-fifths (41%) of the home candle fires started in the bedroom.
Over the last decade, candle fires have more than tripled from the 5,500 reported in 1990. December had almost twice the number of home candle fires of an average month.
One-third (34%) of candle fires occurred after candles were left unattended, abandoned or inadequately controlled; Twenty-six percent occurred when some form of combustible material was left or came too close to the candle; Six percent were started by people (usually children) playing with the candle.
Eleven percent of home candle fires started after the candle user fell asleep.
Christmas Day was the peak day of the year for home candle fires in 1999-2001. Second peak day was New Year's Day. Third peak day was Christmas Eve.
Now that you know some facts and figures, below we have offered additional information for you to enjoy your candle burning in a safe environment:
Candle Burning Safety Tips
During Power Outages
Candles and Children
Holiday Safety with Candles
Candle Burning Safety Tips: Back to Top
 Burning a candle isn't as simple as just lighting a candle and letting it go. When candles are used in an unsafe manner, they can become very hazardous. Please review the tips below to help prevent disasters! |
- Never leave a burning candle unattended!
- Extinguish all candles when leaving the room or going to sleep.
- Avoid candle burning in drafts.
- Avoid walking with lit candles.
- Keep candles away from items that can catch fire (e.g. clothing, books, paper, curtains, Christmas trees, flammable decorations).
- Use candle holders that are sturdy, won't tip over easily, ar made from a material that can't burn and are large enough to collect dripping wax.
- Don't place lit candles in windows, where blinds and curtains can close over them.
- Keep burning candles out of the reach of children, pets, or unsafe situations.
- Keep candles and all open flames away from flammable liquids.
- Keep candle wicks trimmed to one-quarter inch and extinguish taper and pillar candles when they get to within two inches of the holder or decorative material. Votives and containers should be extinguished before the last half-inch of wax starts to melt.
- Avoid candles with combustible items embedded in them.
- Allow candle to cool before trimming wick or relighting.
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During Power Outages: Back to Top
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- Try to avoid carrying a lit candle. Instead, use a flashlight.
- Be sure to keep plenty of fresh batteries on hand during a storm.
- Don't use a lit candle when searching for items in a confined space.
- Never use a candle for a light when checking pilot lights or fueling equipment such as kerosene heater or lantern. The flame may ignite the fumes.
- Extinguish all candles when you leave the home or go to sleep.
- Do not leave young children unattended in a room with a lit candle.
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Candles and Children: Back to Top
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- Keep candles up high out of reach of children.
- Never leave a child unattended in a room with a candle. A child should not sleep in a room with a lit candle.
- Don't allow children or teens to have candles in their bedrooms.
- Store candles, matches and lighters up high and out children's sight and reach, preferably in a locked cabinet
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Holiday Safety with Candles: Back to Top
This message from NFPA President George Miller was taken from the "Dear Abby" column on October 29, 2001
DEAR ABBY: Please help me to inform your readers about a common cause of home fires. We're heading into the season when there is a marked increase in the use of candles. Already booming in popularity, candles become the staple decoration during the winter holidays. They grace tabletops, mantels and windows from Halloween through New Year's Eve. However, these cheery and inspiring holiday decorations can generate more than flickering light. They are the cause of nearly 10,000 fires and take more than 100 lives a year.
According to the National Fire Protection Association's fire database, the number of candle fires that occur in the month of December is almost twice that of any other month. Nearly half of all home candle fires start in the bedroom -- and sadly, young school-age children have a higher death risk from candle fires than from other fires.
These are frightening statistics. However, candle fires don't have to spoil the holidays. Candles can be used safely IF consumers follow a few simple rules: |
- If children are present, supervise lighted candles at all times, making sure they are displayed on stable surfaces well out of reach of children and pets.
- Always use sturdy candle holders large enough to collect dripping wax.
- Avoid purchasing candles in which flammable decorations have been embedded.
- Keep candles well away from all items that can catch fire, including clothing.
- Extinguish candles before leaving a room or going to sleep.
- Never allow children to keep or use candles in their bedrooms.
- For emergency lighting, use flashlights, not candles.
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Your readers can download free, detailed safety tips for candles and other holiday decorations by visiting the NFPA Web site online at www.nfpa.org.
-- GEORGE D. MILLER, PRESIDENT, NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION
DEAR GEORGE: With Halloween and Thanksgiving just around the corner, I hope my readers will heed your advice and "candle with care." Thank you for helping them do that.
Readers, if you don't have access to the Internet and would like more detailed information about candle safety, send a long, business-sized, self-addressed, stamped envelope to Dear Abby -- Candle Safety, NFPA, P.O. Box 9101, Quincy, MA 02269-9101. Please allow four to six weeks for delivery
Contact NFPA: Margie Coloian or Julie Reynolds
Public Affairs Office: +1 617 984-7275 |
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