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Home fires caused by candles peak in '98, double over decade
The bedroom can turn into a deathtrap when candles are used unsafely

Quincy, MA, September 17, 2001—Lit candles caused home fires that killed 157 people in the U.S. in 1998, more than in any year studied since 1980, according to a report recently released by NFPA (National Fire Protection Association). Candle fires totaled 12,540 for the same year, up 8% from the previous year, and essentially double the number from 1990.

Almost half (44%) of home candle fires start in the bedroom, and the month of December, historically, has had almost twice the number of home candle fires as in any other month, according to the report.

Why so many candle fires? An increasing demand for candles has driven a once-modest market for the religious, the romantic, and those ridden with power outages to a booming enterprise where aromatherapy and room fresheners now rule. Every color, every size, every shape imaginable, some marketed to young children, all have added to the rage. With such popularity comes more risks for fire and fire-deaths.

The report states that 37% of these fires occurred because candles were left unattended, abandoned or inadequately controlled, 19% occurred because some form of combustible material was left too close to the candle, 9% occurred because children were playing with candles or something flammable near candles.

Mattresses or bedding were first ignited in 13% of these fires. Cabinetry, curtains, interior wall coverings, upholstered furniture and decorations were also sources for ignition, ranked respectively.

Candle fires had a higher death rate per fire than most other of the 12 major fire causes, except smoking and children playing with fire. Young school-age children had a higher death risk from candle fires than from other fires, the report cited. While children under six faced the greatest risk, children between six and nine had a risk almost as high, and three times as high as the risk for this age group from home fires of all causes.

Direct property damage from home candle fires has been relatively stable for the past three years, the report states, increasing 3% from $171.1 million in '97 to $176.1 million in '98.

"While candles create a beautiful atmosphere and are especially popular around the holidays, it's important to remember that safe use of candles is the only way to use them in any room. Experts agree it is too risky to leave a lit candle burning in a room where no one is present, or where you'll fall asleep," says Meri-K Appy, NFPA vice president for public education.

NFPA suggests the following safety tips when using candles:

• Extinguish all candles when leaving the room or when going to sleep.
• Keep candles away from items that can catch fire such as clothing, books, paper, curtains, Christmas trees, flammable decorations or anything else that burns.
• Make sure candles are placed on a stable piece of furniture in sturdy holders that won't tip over. Candles should fit in the holders securely and holders should be made from material that can't burn.
• Use flashlights for temporary lighting in power outages, not candles. Keep plenty of fresh batteries on hand during thunderstorm seasons.
• Make sure the candleholder is big enough to collect dripping wax.
• Don't allow children or teens to have candles in their bedrooms.
• Don't place lit candles in windows, where blinds or curtains can close over them.
• 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.
• When purchasing or using candles, consider what would happen if the candle burned low. Could it burn the candleholder or decorative material nearby?
• Avoid candles with combustible items embedded in them.
• Extinguish taper and pillar candles when they get within two inches of the holder or decorative material. Votives and container candles should be extinguished before the last ½ inch of wax starts to melt.

See more information from NFPA on candle fire safety, as well as other holiday safety tips.