Candles add to the ambience of our homes. They look nice, they smell good, they are an integral part of special occasion decoration. But candles are a growing fire threat in our communities. And knowing the facts about candles is a key to fire safety. That’s why NFPA has chosen “Use Candles with Care” as the theme for Fire Prevention Week (FPW), October 9-15.

Seven out of 10 households in the US now use candles, with younger adults more likely to use them than older adults. Over the last decade, candle fires have tripled.

In 2001 alone, an estimated 18,000 home fires started by candles were reported to fire departments, an all-time high. These fires resulted in 190 deaths, 1,450 injuries, and an estimated property loss of $265 million.

Forty-one percent of US home candle fires begin in the bedroom, causing 24% of the deaths resulting from these fires.

A special study found that the candles were being used for light in one-third of the fatal home candle fires, generally because power to the home had been shut off due to nonpayment (24%) or as a result of a temporary power outage (7%).

December had almost twice the number of home candle fires of an average month.

Reducing the risk

• Never leave a burning candle unattended. Extinguish all candles when you leave the room or go to bed. Almost half of all home fires started by candles begin in the bedroom. NFPA discourages the use of candles in the bedroom and other areas where people may fall asleep.
• Keep candles at least one foot away from anything that can burn including curtains, blinds, wallpaper, clothing or any other material that can catch fire.
• Don’t place lit candles in windows or near doorways where drafts could bring combustibles in contact with the flame.
• Keep candles away from flammable liquids.

“Candle with Care”

• 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.
• Place candle holders on a sturdy, uncluttered surface—away from edges and any place where they could be knocked over by kids or pets.
• Light candles carefully. Keep your hair and any loose clothing away from the flame.
• Keep candle wicks trimmed to one-quarter inch.
• Extinguish candles when they burn down to within two inches of their holder or any decorative material.
• Extinguish candles carefully, using a long-handled candle snuffer or a soft, directed breath. Be careful not to splatter wax when extinguishing. Do not leave the room until wicks have stopped glowing.
• Avoid using candles during a power outage. Have flashlights and battery-powered lighting on hand for emergency lighting.

Candles and kids

• Never leave a child unattended in a room with a burning candle.
• Don’t allow kids or teens to burn candles in their bedrooms.
• Don’t let kids play with candles or dripping wax – or with materials that could catch fire near candles.
• Store matches and lighters up high and out of children’s sight and reach, preferably in a locked cabinet.

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