Candle Safety

Who doesn’t like candles? We give them as gifts. We decorate our homes with them. What would our holiday decor be without them? They come in all sizes, colors and scents. While they are beautiful, they can also be dangerous.

Never burn candles if you or a family member use oxygen in your home. The majority of candle fires start when flammable items are too close to a burning candle and at least one-third of home candle fires originate in the bedroom.

A whopping 85% of candle fires can be prevented if simple safety rules are followed:

• Use a well-balanced candle holder that won’t tip over.
• Place the candle in an area free from air vents and drafts.
• Place the holder on an unobstructed surface, a minimum of twelve inches away from any flammable items such as plants, curtains, books, furniture and especially children’s curious hands and pet’s wagging tails.
• Trim the wick so the flame will burn evenly
• Take care when lighting a candle - ensure your hair and clothing away from the flame.
• Always store lighters and matches in a secured area out of reach of children.
• Extinguish the flame before it gets too close to the holder. Never burn a candle all the way down.
• Never leave a child or pet unattended in a room with a burning candle.
• Never leave a candle burning when you go to sleep or leave the room.
• Use a candle snuffer to extinguish the flame. This prevents hot wax from spattering.

During power outages use battery operated lighting and flashlights – never candles with an open flame. For safety’s sake (particularly if you have children or pets) consider using flameless candles.

To learn more about fire safety go to https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/home-fires/prevent-fires/.