RISK ALERT

Don’t Let a Candle Fire Ruin Your Holiday

Did you know between 1994 and 1998, there were 9,930 home fires per year caused by candles, with an annual average of 119 deaths, 1,043 injuries and $144.5 million in property damage associated.

Thirty-eight percent of candle fires occurred after candles were left unattended, abandoned or inadequately controlled; Twenty-three percent occurred when some form of combustible material was left or came too close to the candle; Eight percent were started by people (usually children) playing with the candle; Thirteen percent started after the candle user fell asleep.

1999 Fire Prevention Code.  BOCA 1996 (Building Officials & Code Administrators International, Inc).

 Section F-402.0 Open Flame or Light

F-402.3 Candles:  A person shall not utilize or allow to be utilized, any open flame, burning candle or candles in connection with any public meeting or gathering for purpose of deliberation, worship, entertainment, amusement, instruction, education, recreation, awaiting transportation or similar purpose in assembly or educational occupancies without first obtaining approval.

Section F-110.1 of the 1996 and 1999 Fire Prevention Code states, “whenever the code official shall find in any structure or upon any premises, dangerous or hazardous conditions or materials, the code official shall order such hazardous conditions or materials to be removed, if hazardous conditions liable to cause or contribute to the spread of fire in or on said premises or structure or endanger the occupants thereof”.

Reference:  NFPA Journal, November/December 2002, www.nfpa.org

1999 Fire Prevention Code

What could happen if there was a Candle fire at work?  Please see pictures below.

Here are safety tips to follow in your home.

Safety Tips:

• Extinguish all candles when leaving the room or going to sleep.
• Keep candles away from items that can catch fire (e.g. clothing, books, paper, curtains, Christmas trees, flammable decorations).
• Use candle holders that are sturdy, won't tip over easily, are made from a material that can't burn and are large enough to collect dripping wax.
• Don't place lit candles in windows, where blinds and curtains can close over them.
• Place candle holders on a sturdy, uncluttered surface and 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.
• Keep candle wicks trimmed to one-quarter inch and extinguish taper and pillar candles when they get to within two inches of the holder or decorative material. Votives and containers should be extinguished before the last half-inch of wax starts to melt.
• Avoid candles with combustible items embedded in them.

Candles & children:

• Keep candles up high out of reach of children.
• Never leave a child unattended in a room with a candle. A child should not sleep in a room with a lit candle.
• Don't allow children or teens to have candles in their bedrooms.
• Store candles, matches and lighters up high and out children's sight and reach, preferably in a locked cabinet.

During power outages:

• Try to avoid carrying a lit candle. Don't use a lit candle when searching for items in a confined space.
• Never use a candle for a light when checking pilot lights or fueling equipment such as a kerosene heater or lantern. The flame may ignite the fumes.

Candles are Hazardous and should never be allowed!