How To Use Candles Safely This Holiday Season
- Beige Law Podcast - October 3, 2022
- 10 Things To Teach Your Latch-Key Kid - August 17, 2022
- Covid-19 Update We Are Open For Business - April 24, 2020
Decorative and fragranced candles may be an attractive addition to your home décor, but if used improperly, they can be a serious fire hazard. Residential fires caused by candles have more than doubled over the past decade. According to a pilot study of candle fires by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), most candle fires were caused by combustibles being too close to the candle. The next most common cause of candle fires was due to the candle falling over or being knocked over by wind, doors, children or pets.
It is extremely important to use caution while burning a candle in your home. The following are tips to help you avoid a potential candle disaster:
- Candles are dangerous nightlights. Try to avoid using candles in bedrooms and other areas where people may fall asleep.
- Supervise children. Store candles, matches and lighters up high and out of children’s sight and reach, preferably in a locked cabinet.
- Always stay in the room where candles are being burned. It only takes seconds for a fire to start and minutes for your home to be fully engulfed in flames and dangerous gases.
- Keep candles a minimum of 1 foot, in all directions, from flammable and combustible items such as curtains or bedding. Make sure curtains cannot be blown into the candle by wind.
- Avoid burning candles for more than four hours at a time.
- Do not move a glass container when the wax is liquid.
- Use sturdy candle holders that won’t tip or burn.
- Burn candles on sturdy uncluttered surfaces.
- Trim candle wicks to one-quarter inch before lighting.
- When lighting candles, keep your hair and clothing away from the flame.
- Extinguish candles when they burn to within two inches of their holder.
- Be careful not to splatter hot wax when extinguishing a candle.
- Keep candles away from children or within reach of children.
- Remember, when you go out, extinguish candles…even if you will only be gone for a short while.
- Avoid using candles during power outages. Have flashlights, batteries, and battery-powered lights on hand for emergency lighting.
- Place candles away from windows, doorways or any place where drafts could affect the flame.
Remember, smoke detectors are life savers. The primary fire safety strategy for any home is to warn the occupants early. The best way to get the earliest warning of danger is by installing sufficient smoke detectors. Monitored smoke detectors are the best choice as they allow you and your family to escape while the Central Monitoring Station calls the fire department.
About All Action Alarm
For more information regarding monitored fire protection for your home, please contact us today. Please remember, if you have battery powered smoke detectors make sure to change the batteries every six months.
Have a wonderful SAFE day!
