Fire Safety – Candle Safety

From 2014-2018, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 7,610 home structure fires that were started by candles per year. These fires caused an annual average of 81 deaths, 677 injuries, and $278 million in direct property damage.

Remember that a candle is an open flame, which means that it can easily ignite anything that can burn. NFPA shares a few candle fire safety tips to consider.

During the five-year period of 2014-2018:

Candles caused 2% of reported home fires, 3% of home fire deaths, 6% of home fire injuries, and 4% of the direct property damage in home fires.
Roughly one-third (37%) of home candle fires started in bedrooms. These fires caused 40% of the associated deaths and 49% of the associated injuries.
Falling asleep was a factor in 10% percent of the home candle fires and 15% of the associated deaths.
On average, 21 home candle fires were reported per day.
Three of every five (60%) home candle fires occurred when some form of combustible material was left or came too close to the candle.
December is the peak time of year for home candle fires. In December, 12% of home candle fires began with decorations compared to 4% the rest of the year.

Source: NFPA’s Home Candle Fires report

Candles may be pretty to look at, but they can cause home fires — and home fire deaths. Remember, a candle is an open flame, which means that it can easily ignite anything that can burn.

Candle with Care

Never leave a burning candle unattended. Burning candles can start a fire.
Blow out all candles when you leave the room or go to bed. Avoid the use of candles in bedrooms, bathrooms, and other areas where people may fall asleep.
Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn.
Consider using battery-operated flameless candles, which can look, smell, and feel like real candles.
When using candles, please place them in sturdy, safe candle holders that will not burn or tip over.
Protect candle flames with glass chimneys or containers.
Use only battery-powered lights in tents, trailers, motor homes, and boats.
Handheld candles should not be passed from one person to another at any time.

If you do burn candles, make sure that you…

Use candle holders that are sturdy and won’t tip over easily.
Put candle holders on a sturdy, uncluttered surface.
Light candles carefully. Keep your hair and any loose clothing away from the flame.
Don’t burn a candle all the way down — put it out before it gets too close to the holder or container.
Never use a candle where medical oxygen is being used. The two can combine to create a large, unexpected fire. Medical oxygen can cause materials to ignite more easily
and burn at a faster rate than normal. It can make an existing fire burn faster and hotter.
Have flashlights and battery-powered lighting ready to use during a power outage. Never use candles.

Candles and Kids

Never leave a child alone in a room with a burning candle.
Keep matches and lighters up high and out of children’s reach in a locked cabinet.

Printable Candle Safety Tips from NFPA