Candles are in millions of American homes and they are one of the most dangerous items most people never think twice about. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates there are more than 14,000 candle-related fires every year in the United States, resulting in approximately 170 deaths and $350 million in property damage annually. Candle deaths increased 750 percent from 1980 to 1998 as candle use expanded from occasional dining room use to everyday use throughout the home.
Where and How Candle Fires Start
In most cases, candle fires occur when candles are left unattended, tip over, or are placed too close to combustible materials. Almost half of all home candle fires start in the bedroom, where candles are placed near bedding, curtains, and furniture. Mattresses or bedding are the most common items that ignite, followed by furniture and curtains. Tealights and tapers are among the most common culprits.
A child playing with a candle or near an unattended flame is one of the biggest contributors to candle fires. Children under age 5 have a fire death rate more than twice the national average. When faced with fire, many children hide in a closet or under a bed rather than escaping, resulting in fatalities that are entirely preventable.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, Halloween ranks among the top five days of the year for candle-related fires.
Safety Tips
- Never leave a burning candle unattended. Extinguish all candles before you go to sleep, leave the room, or leave the house.
- Keep candles on a stable, heat-resistant surface where children and pets cannot reach them or knock them over.
- Keep candles at least one foot away from anything that can burn — curtains, furniture, decorations, bedding, and clothing.
- Never place a candle near a window where wind from an open window could blow curtains into the flame.
- Keep children and pets away from lit candles at all times. Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children.
- Use flameless candles in areas where children or pets have access, near decorations, or in any situation where a candle might be knocked over.
- Never use a candle as a nightlight.
- Before going to bed, do a final check of all rooms to confirm that every candle has been extinguished.
- Keep the wax pool free of wick trimmings, matches, and debris that could catch fire.
- Stop burning a candle when 2 inches of wax remain to prevent the container from overheating.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, visit SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC’s Hotline at 800-638-2772.
