Holiday Safety Tips: December is the peak month for candle fires

December is the peak month for candle fires and Christmas is the peak day.

Christmas season safety tips provided by the Orange County Fire Authority:

People have safely enjoyed using candles for centuries. Their colors and scents enhance everyday life and evoke memories of special events. Candles are a source of light and delight when used properly and according to manufacturers’ directions. However, if certain precautions are not taken by the consumer, candles can also become a factor in a chain of events that can result in unnecessary injury and even death.
The United States Fire Administration (USFA) currently estimates that candles are
responsible for approximately 15,600 residential structure fires each year and cause 1,270
civilian injuries, 150 fatalities, and $539 million in property losses. December is the peak month for candle fires and Christmas is the peak day.

Candle Safety Tips
Keep candles at least 12 inches from anything that can burn.
Use sturdy, safe candleholders.
Never leave a burning candle unattended.
Extinguish candles when you leave a room.
Be careful not to splatter wax when extinguishing a candle.
Avoid using candles in bedrooms and sleeping areas.
Always use a flashlight, not a candle, for emergency lighting.
Consider using battery-operated flameless candles.
Candles and Children
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.
During Power Outages
Use a flashlight instead of a candle whenever possible.
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.
Candle Usage Tips
Recommended burning time is one hour per inch diameter of the candle.
Hold your finger in front of the flame as you blow the candle out, The air will flow around
your finger and extinguish the candle from both sides.
This prevents any hot wax from splattering.
Keep wax pool free of wick trimmings and debris.
For More Information
www.ocfa.org
www.nfpa.org
www.candles.org
www.usfa.fema.gov

The USFA’s National Fire Incident Reporting System, and the National Fire Protection
Agency, suggest that candle fire incidents occur most often in the bedroom (40%); followed
by the living room, family room or den (17%); the bathroom (14%); the kitchen (8%); 3%
started unclassified function areas; and 3% started in dining rooms or bar areas. Most
candle fire incidents are found to be due to consumer inattention to basic fire safety or to
the misuse of candles. Nearly 50 percent of residential candle fires reportedly occurred
because a combustible item was placed too close to the candle. In addition, nearly 18
percent occurred because candles were unattended, abandoned or inadequately
controlled.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued 30 recalls of nearly 5.4 million candles or candleholders since 1993. These recalls have been because the candle flame burns several inches above the candle or candleholder, which themselves are flammable.

The Leading Causes for Residential Candle Fire Incidents Were Reported as Follows:
Too close to combustibles
55%
Candle unattended
18%
Falling asleep
12%
Control of flame
10%
Child playing
5%

Please checkout the Orange website for more information: Candle Safety - www.ocfa.org