Practice Safe Candle Use
As the popularity of candles brings an increase in fires started by candles, Kingston Fire & Rescue Services is urging everyone to practice safe candle use.
According to the National Candle Association, 7 out of 10 North American households use candles. At the same time, National Fire Protection Association research shows that candles are a common cause of home fires. In recent years, candle fires in the home were responsible for an estimated 190 civilian deaths, 1,450 civilian injuries and $265 million in property damage. Four out of ten candle fires start in the bedroom and one in six start in common rooms, living rooms, family rooms or dens. Nearly half the people killed by candle fires in the home were younger than 20; children ages 5 to 9 accounted for a disproportionate share of the victims, with a candle-fire death rate 2.5 times higher than the general population.
RULES FOR SAFE CANDLE USE
- Never leave burning candles unattended; always extinguish candles before leaving the room, leaving the house or going to bed.
- Keep candles away from items that can catch fire, such as clothing, books, paper, curtains, Christmas trees, or decorations.
- Keep burning candles out of the reach of children and pets.
- Place candles on stable furniture in sturdy holders that won't tip over and are big enough to collect dripping wax.
- Don't place lit candles in windows where they could ignite blinds or curtains.
- Extinguish taper and pillar candles when they get within two inches of the holder or decorative material. Extinguish votive and filled candles before the last half-inch of wax starts to melt.
- Avoid candles with imbedded combustible materials or decorative holders that could ignite.
- NEVER allow children or teens to have candles in their bedrooms.
