Candle Fire Tips and Facts

7/18/2017 (Permalink)

A candle fire in progress.

The winter holiday season is upon it is traditionally a festive time of year filled with colorful decorations and family gatherings, it is too often a time of tragedy and loss as well. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) statistics indicate that 28% of all home fires and 35% of home fire deaths occurred between the months of December, January, and February. These winter fires result from a variety of sources. From 2009-2013, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 9,300 home structure fires that were started by candles. These fires caused 86 deaths, 827 injuries and $374 million in direct property damage. And the top three days for home candle fires were Christmas, New Year's Day, and Christmas Eve.

Facts and figures

During the Six-year period of 2009-2014

• Candles caused 3% of reported home fires, 3% of home fire deaths, 6% of home fire injuries, and 5% of the direct property damage in home fires.
• Candle fires occurred in these rooms: 44 percent of candle-sparked fires start in bedrooms, , 19 percent in living rooms, family rooms or dens, 11 percent in bathrooms, seven percent in kitchens, and four percent in dining rooms.
• Roughly one-third (36%) of home candle fires started in bedrooms. These fires caused 32% of the associated deaths and 47% of the associated injuries.
• Falling asleep was a factor in 11% percent of the home candle fires and 30% of the associated deaths.
• On average, 25 home candle fires were reported per day. 
• More than half (58%) of 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, 11% of home candle fires began with decorations compared to 4% the rest of the year.

Here are some candle safety recommendations:

• Don't leave them unattended. If leave a room, extinguish the candle and re-light it when you return.
• Maintain a two-foot circle of safety around a lighted candle. It shouldn't be near clothing, books, curtains, etc. A breeze from an open window or forced hot air from a heat duct can, for instance, sweep a curtain into the proximity of the flame.
• Use candles with a sturdy base
• Trim the wick to one-quarter inch. That prevents the flame from becoming too large.
• Keep lighted candles out of areas where they can be knocked over by kids or pets. People like to put candles at the end of a coffee table, but that's where people reach over to get something, and their clothes can come in contact with a flame.
• Some candles require special attention, such as those with combustible material embedded in them. When the candle burns down, a little plastic fish, for example, becomes exposed to the flame, and it may ignite.

We here at SERVPRO of Southern McHenry County wish you the Happiest of the Holidays.

• Source: National Fire Protection Association