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Blow it Out,
Before You Go Out!
Prevent
candle fires.
Candle
use has risen greatly in the past decade, but unfortunately
so have candle fires. In the last ten years, 16
Oregonians lost their lives in candle related fires.
A few simple actions can prevent a candle fire from
occurring.
- Stay
in the same room with burning candles; never leave
them burning unattended. Most candle fires start
when they are left burning unattended. Always
make sure candles are blown out before leaving
home or going to bed.
- Keep
candles away from things that can burn.
- Keep
candles at least one foot away from clothing,
curtains, upholstered furniture, greenery, decorations
and any other flammable items. Always use a sturdy
metal, glass or ceramic candleholder.
- Place
candles out of reach of children and pets. Many
candle fires are started when children touch or
play with them, or when pets knock them over.
- Keep
wicks trimmed to one-quarter inch. This keeps
the candle from smoking.
- Avoid
candles with combustible items embedded in them
such as twigs, flowers or leaves. These items
can ignite and even explode, causing a fire.
Remember
to make sure you have working smoke alarms
on every level of your home, outside each sleeping
area and in every bedroom. Consider a home fire
sprinkler system for increased protection.
National
Candle Statistics...
Candles cause an estimated 15,600 fires in residential
structures, 150 deaths, 1,270 injuries, and $539
million in estimated direct property damage each
year.
•Over half (55%) of home candle fires start
because the candle is too close to some combustible
material.
•More candle fires (38%) begin in the bedroom
than in any other room.
•Falling asleep is a factor in 12% of home
candle fires and 26% of the associated deaths.
•Half of all civilian candle fire deaths occur
between Midnight and 6am.
•December is the peak month for candle fires;
Christmas is the peak day.
•Young children and older adults have the
highest death risk from candle fires.
•The risk of a fatal candle fire appears higher
when candles are used for light.
Source: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
- Candle Fires, September 2007.
Tragic and Preventable Candle Fires
•Three sleeping boys died when a candle left
burning in the living room ignited nearby combustibles.
•A man and his three children died in a fire
when hot wax from an unattended candle dripped on
curtains, igniting them.
•Eleven members of a family died in a fire
when a lighted candle ignited a mattress.
•Two children died in a fire when a lighted
candle rolled under the Christmas tree.
•A mother and young baby died when a burning
candle used for religious observances ignited cabinetry.
Fact: The majority of candle fires result from human
error and negligence.
Candle Fire Safety Tips
•Avoid using lighted candles.
•If you do use candles, ensure they are in
sturdy metal, glass, or ceramic holders and placed
where they cannot be easily knocked down.
•Keep candles out of the reach of children
and pets.
•Set a good example by using matches, lighters,
and fire carefully.
•Children should never be allowed to play
with matches, lighters or candles.
•Never put candles on a Christmas tree.
•Never leave the house with candles burning.
•Extinguish candles after use.
•Establish a fire-safe home, especially a
safe sleeping environment.
•And NEVER leave burning candles unattended!
Link for More Information: USFA
Candle Fire Safety
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