Elburn & Countryside

Fire Protection District

According to the candle industry, more than 200 manufacturers produce more than 1,000 different types of candles. But these items increasingly are damaging homes and have even become deadly to the citizens we protect. According to the NFPA, the number of candle fires jumped from 8,240 to 15,040 between 1980 and 1999.

These fires caused 1,473 civilian injuries and 102 civilian fire deaths in 1999 alone, and caused direct property damage exceeding $278 million. In 2001, the latest year for which statistics are available, candles caused 18,000 home fires and 190 civilian fire deaths.

This increase is an anomaly. This country has seen the number of home fires decrease during the past several years, but the number of fires caused by candles has increased. The number one cause of home fires in America - cooking equipment - decreased by 29 percent from 1980 to 1999. Fires caused by heating equipment decreased by 77 percent during the same period. We are becoming safer, and have taken advantage of recent technological advances to help stop those types of fires. But candles are a throwback to a different time and place when life was simpler. Safer candles are developed, but are slow to enter the market.

If history is indicator, candle fires will peak in December, with twice as many than an average month. Not surprisingly, the winter holiday season is also the peak time for candle sales.

To help keep our citizens' homes and loved ones safe this holiday season, review the following candle safety tips with them the next time you are talking to a group:

• Be extra vigilant in the bedroom where 40 percent of all candle fires start. Other areas of concern are common areas, such as living rooms, family rooms, and dens.
• Always keep a burning candle within sight. Extinguish all candles when leaving the room or going to sleep.
• Keep candles away from things that can catch fire, such as decorations or clothing.
• Place candles in areas where children and pets can't accidentally run into them while they play or walk through the home.
• Don't place lit candles in windows near drapes, blinds or curtains.

• Always use a candleholder specifically designed for candle use. The holder should be heat resistant, sturdy and large enough to contain any drips or melted wax. Be sure the candleholder is placed on a stable, heat-resistant surface.

• Keep burning candles away from drafts, vents and air currents. This will help prevent prevent rapid, uneven burning, smoking and excessive dripping. Drafts can also blow lightweight curtains or papers into the flame where they could catch fire. Ceiling fans can cause drafts.

• Keep the wax pool free of wick trimmings, matches and debris at all times.

• Do not burn a candle for longer than the manufacturer recommends.

• Always burn candles in a well-ventilated room.

• Extinguish the flame if it comes too close to the holder or container. For a margin of safety, discontinue burning a candle when 2 inches of wax remains. This will also help prevent possible heat damage to the counter/surface and prevent glass containers from cracking or breaking.

• Never touch or move a votive or container candle when the wax is liquid.

• Extinguish pillar candles if the wax pool approaches the outer edge.

• Candles should be placed at least three inches apart from one another. This is to be sure they don’t melt one another, or create their own drafts that will cause the candles to burn improperly.

• One of the safest ways to extinguish a candle is to use a candle snuffer, which helps prevent hot wax from spattering.

• Do not extinguish candles with water. The water can cause the hot wax to spatter and can cause glass containers to break.

• Flashlights and other battery-powered lights are much safer light sources than candles during a power failure.

• Never use a candle as light when you go into a closet to look for things.

• Never use a candle for light when fueling equipment such as a lantern or kerosene heater.

• Don't allow children or teens to have candles in their bedrooms.

• Store candles, matches and lighters high out of the reach of children.