Candle Safety Page #1
Incident Avoidance and Safety Links
Remember: Be Smart, Don't Let A Fire Start
Facts and Figures
Candle fires reached a 19-year high of 12,540 in 1998, resulting in 157 deaths, 1,106 civilian injuries and $176.1 million in property damage.
Unattended, abandoned or inadequately controlled candles are the leading cause of home candle fires (37%), followed by leaving candles too close to combustibles (19%), according to annual averages from 1994-98. Nine percent were started by children playing with candles.
December is the peak month for candle fires, with nearly twice the average number of incidents. Almost half (44%) of home candle fires start in the bedroom.
Safety Tips:
Extinguish all candles when leaving the room or going to sleep.
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, are 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.
Place candle holders on a sturdy, uncluttered surface and do not use candles in places where they could be knocked over by children or pets.
Keep candles and all open flames away from flammable liquids.
