Candle FIRE Safety and Tips for a safe holiday season
The Issue
Candles can be a serious fire hazard if not used properly. According to NFPA’s
“Home Candle Fires” report, during 2007-2013, the top three days for home
candle fires were Christmas, New Year’s Day, and Christmas Eve. Some candles also have design flaws
that increase the risk of fire. Others
may contain materials like lead that present health hazards, especially for
children. There are a number of things you can do to reduce health and safety
risks when you burn candles.
Background
Every year in the United States, Canada and elsewhere, human
error is responsible for starting a number of candle fires. Some of the common
mistakes people make include:
·
leaving candles burning with no one in the room,
or falling asleep or leaving the house with candles burning
·
burning candles close to things that can catch
fire (like mattresses, bedding, curtains, cabinetry, upholstered furniture,
decorations and clothing)
·
leaving burning candles within reach of children
or pets
Canada-wide statistics for candle fires are not available.
However, based on data from Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and B.C., it is
estimated that candles were responsible for an average of nearly 800 candle
fires in Canada each year between 1999 and 2008, with a yearly average of 8
fire deaths, 115 fire injuries and $26.2 million in property damage. Candle
fires are most common during holidays and special occasions.
On average, 42 home candle fires are reported every day. Sadly,
more than half of all candle fires start when something that could burn, such
as furniture, mattresses or bedding, curtains, or decorations is too close to
the candle. In one-fifth (20%) of candle
fires, the candles are unattended or abandoned and over one-third (36%) of home
candle fires begin in the bedroom.
Health and Safety Risks
Associated with Candles
The most obvious hazard when you burn candles is the risk of
injury or death from fire. In most cases, candle fires are caused by the human
errors noted above, but the design of candles can also increase the risk of
fire and fire-related injuries.
One example is candles with multiple wicks. Health Canada
tested this type of candle and found that with certain brands, lighting all of
the wicks at once can produce a single high flame, or a number of large flames
close together. The result is very intense heat that can ignite nearby
materials, like curtains or clothing. These candles can also melt rapidly,
leaving a large pool of hot wax that can cause burns.
The materials used in and on the candles can also present fire
hazards. For example, some candles have decorations made of paper and ribbons,
and some have outer layers made of tree bark, paper or other non-wax coating.
These materials are very flammable and may increase the risk of fires and
burns.
In some cases, fires are started because the candle wax gets so
hot it catches fire itself.
Some candles may also have wicks with a metallic core that may
contain lead. When these wicks burn, they produce lead vapours and dust, which
can be harmful, especially for children and pregnant women. You can test
candles you already own to see whether the wick contains lead by removing wax
from the tip of the wick, separating the fibre strands from the wick to see if
there is a metallic core, and rubbing this metallic core on a piece of white
paper. If it leaves a grey mark on the paper, then the metallic core is
probably lead.
Another example of a material that may be hazardous is the
liquid fuel used in decorative oil lamps. These lamps are also called liquid paraffin
candles. The fuel is usually a petroleum
distillate, which is poisonous when swallowed. There have been at least eight
incidents of Canadian children being poisoned by drinking this fuel directly
from the lamps. In one case, the child died.
"Relight" candles (also known as "trick"
candles or "magic" candles) are also hazardous. These candles can
reignite spontaneously after the flame has been put out. The sale, advertising
or importing of relight candles has been prohibited in Canada since 1977.
Minimizing Your Risk
The following steps will help minimize your risk when you burn
candles in your home.
·
Follow the instructions printed on the label.
·
Trim candle wicks to a height of 5-7 mm (1/4
inch) before lighting the candle. Trim them again every 2-3 hours to prevent
high flames.
·
Take extra care if you are burning candles with
more than one wick. Avoid buying candles with multiple wicks that are close
together.
·
Use well ventilated candle holders that are
sturdy and will not tip over. Avoid wooden or plastic holders, as these can
catch fire. Use caution with glass candle holders, which can break when they
get too hot.
·
Never drop objects, like matches, into candles.
·
Keep burning candles away from materials that
can catch fire (like curtains, decorations and clothing). If your clothes catch
fire, "Stop, Drop and Roll."
·
Keep burning candles out of reach of children
and pets.
·
Do not leave candles burning with no one in the
room.
·
Extinguish all candles before you go to sleep.
·
Do not burn candles that have lead in the wicks.
When you buy candles, ask the retailer if the wicks contain lead.
·
Avoid using decorative oil lamps with liquid
fuel if you have children under the age of five in your household. If you
choose to use this type of candle, keep the fuel locked away, out of sight and
reach of children. If you think your child has swallowed liquid fuel, contact
your nearest poison control centre immediately.
·
Teach your children to be careful around open
flames. Make sure they understand that candles are not toys, or something they
can eat or drink.
Every year hundreds of
fires are started as a result of candle use. These fires are not only
emotionally devastating but they also cause millions of dollars in losses each
year. Candle fires, however, are preventable in many ways. Below are some
simple guidelines to help prevent fires from occurring from open flame candles.
·
Never leave a burning candle unattended.
Extinguish all candles when leaving the room or going to sleep.
·
Keep burning candles away from children and
pets.
·
Do not place candles near combustible objects
such as curtains, clothing, walls, books, holiday decorations, flammable
liquids, etc.
·
Use candle holders that are sturdy, won’t tip
over easily, made from a non-combustible material and large enough to safely
catch dripping wax.
·
Place candles on a protected, heat resistant,
level surface.
·
Avoid burning candles in drafty areas such as near
open windows or doorways.
·
Keep wicks trimmed to one-quarter inch and less.
·
Avoid walking with lit candles. Allow candles to
cool before handling, trimming wicks, or re-lighting.
·
Extinguish candles with care, as wax may
splatter. A candle quencher or snuffer is recommended.
·
Store candles, matches, and lighters up high and
out of sight, preferably in a locked cabinet.
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