Candles can be so much fun. Not only can they smell amazing, but they can enhance the ambiance of a room, add romantic lighting, and enhance the overall mood of an indoor or outdoor space. However, they can also pose some serious fire dangers.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), “From 2013-2017, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 7,900 home structure fires that were started by candles per year. These fires caused an annual average of 80 deaths, 720 injuries and $268 million in direct property damage.” That’s one too many deaths and you don’t want that to happen to you or your family.
Candle Safety Tips
Candles look and smell pretty, but they can cause an entire home to go down in flames – and they can lead to home fire deaths. Remember, candles involve open flames, which means a candle can ignite anything, such as curtains, a blanket, a sofa, a Christmas tree, clothing, a comforter – anything that is flammable.
When you burn candles:
- Use sturdy candle holders that don’t tip over easily
- Place candles on sturdy surfaces
- Be careful about lighting them – keep flammables like hair and clothing away from the flame
- Don’t burn candles until they’re all the way down
- Do NOT burn them if you use oxygen in your home
- Do NOT use them in a power outage; use flashlights and battery-powered lighting instead
- Never leave children alone in a room with a candle that is lit
- Do not leave matches or lighters in children’s reach or view
- Make sure that no pets can touch burning candles
- Never leave a room with a burning candle unattended
- Keep your candles at least 12” away from anything that can burn, including room décor
Want to learn more about candles? Visit candles.org to explore candles! If you need a professional electrician to assist you with one of your lighting or other electrical needs, contact Lightning Bug Electric today!