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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