Candles help create a certain look and feel around the house or apartment. Whether you like to burn tall tapers during dinner with friends or keep a candle in the bathroom or kitchen in hopes of keeping the air fresh, special care should be taken with all candles. Liberty Mutual wants to see your home remain fire-free so we’ve compiled this useful candle safety information for you. We encourage you to share it with family and friends.
Shedding light on the problem
Candles are a risky addition to your home. These statistics are a good reminder of just how dangerous candles can be.
• Over 40 candle fires are reported every day in the U.S. – that adds up to more than 15,000 each year!
• Over 1,200 candle fire injuries occur every year
• 20% of candle fires happen when candles are left unattended
• It has been estimated that there are over 150 candle deaths each year, most of those happening between midnight and 6AM.
Source: U.S. Fire Administration
Candle safety, in general
• Decorations with candles can be a fire hazard; never leave them unattended when lit or illuminated
• Blow out candles before leaving the room home or going to bed – never burn candles overnight
• Never burn a candle all the way down
• Open a window or use a fan instead of burning candles to remove odors from rooms
• Keep children and pets away from burning candles as they can be easily burned by flames or scalded by hot wax
Location, location, location
Candles can be a pleasant addition to many rooms. But since 36% of candle fires start in the bedroom alone, there are some things to remember about where you use candles. These guidelines are helpful to remember:
• Candles should be placed in appropriate glass, ceramic or metal holders that offer a wide base large enough to collect melted wax
• Keep lit candles high on shelves or in other stable locations where they cannot easily be disturbed or tipped over
• Never place candles near curtains, bathroom towels, or other easily flammable materials
• To be safe, leave a safety zone at least one foot (12”) in all directions around a lit candle
Consider your alternatives
Candles aren’t the only way to keep things fresh. These lower-risk options can be as pleasant as the candles you may be used to, and since they don’t involve flame, can be considerably safer. Some candle alternatives:
• Wickless candles that use a light bulb to melt scented wax
• Potpourri (dried flowers and other scented herbs) dishes or packets
• Plug-in scented air fresheners
• Spray air fresheners
Candle safety resources
Liberty Mutual Insurance works with experts who are committed to making your home fire safe and fire smart. Here are some websites you can visit for even more candle safety information:
• www.nfpa.org
• www.firesafety.gov
• www.usfa.dhs.gov