Candle with Care
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), home candle fires have nearly doubled since the early 1990's. In 2005 alone, the most recent year data is available, a reported 15,600 candle fires occurred in homes nation-wide. These fires resulted in an estimated 150 civilian deaths, 1,270 civilian injuries and an estimated direct property loss of $539 million.
Candle Safety Tips- NEVER leave a burning candle unattended. Extinguish all candles when leaving the room or going to sleep.
- Keep candles away from items that can catch fire (i.e., clothing, books, paper, curtains, Christmas trees, flammable decorations).
- 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.
- Don't place lit candles in windows, where blinds and curtains can close over them.
- Place candle holders on a sturdy, uncluttered surface and do not use candles in places where they could be knocked over by children or pets.
- Keep candles and all open flames away from flammable liquids.
- Keep candle wicks trimmed to ¼-inch above the wax or gel surface.
- Extinguish taper and pillar candles when they get to within two-inches of the holder or decorative material. Votives and containers should be extinguished before the last ½-inch of wax starts to melt.
- Avoid candles with combustible items imbedded in them.
- Keep candles up high out of reach of children.
- Never leave a child unattended in a room with a candle. A child should not sleep in a room with a lit candle.
- Don't allow children or teens to have candles in their bedrooms.
- Store candles, matches and lighters up high and out of children's sight and reach, preferably in a locked cabinet.
- Try to avoid carrying a lit candle. Don't use a lit candle when searching for items in a confined space.
- Never use a candle for a light when checking pilot lights or fueling equipment such as a kerosene heater or lantern; the flame may ignite the fumes.
Gel Candles
Over the past few years the safety of gel candles has come into question. Penreco, a manufacturer of gels used in candles, cautions that gel burns hotter than wax. Too much heat can shatter a glass candleholder or container and make it more likely that nearby combustibles will be ignited, resulting in a room fire. As with any heat or flame-producing device, consumers should use caution and follow the tips listed below.
Added precautions for gel candles
- Never burn a gel candle for more than four hours.
- Never burn the last inch of a candle.
- Keep candles away from drafts, vents and flammable objects.
- Keep matches and other debris out of the candle.
- Do not move a glass container when the candle is burning and/or the gel is liquid.
- Extinguish the flame if it burns too close to the container walls.
- Extinguish a candle that smokes (check instructions before re-lighting).