Candles can be a great way to add ambiance to a dinner party or special event. They can also be a great gift or decorating piece for your home.
But candles have a darker side. From 2003 to 2007 firefighters responded to an average 15,260 home fires per year that were started by candles, according to a 2010 report by the National Fire Protection Association. The fires caused an annual average of 166 deaths, 1,289 injuries and $450 million in property damage. Candles were the culprit in 4 percent of all reported home fires, 6 percent of home fire deaths, 10 percent of home fire injuries and 7 percent of property damage during the four-year period, the association says.
Falling asleep while candles burned was a factor in 12 percent of home candle fires and 36 percent of deaths. More than a third (36 percent) of candle fires started in bedrooms.
5 ways to safely carry a torch
Follow these five candle safety tips from the National Fire Protection Association:
- Blow out candles when you leave a room or go to bed, and extinguish them before they get too close to the holder or container.
- Keep candles at least a foot away from anything that can burn.
- Use sturdy candle holders that don’t tip easily, and place candles on sturdy, uncluttered surfaces.
- Never use candles if oxygen is used in the home.
- Use flashlights instead of candles during a power outage.
Fire is covered under standard home insurance, although you still face paying a deductible if you make a claim. Depending on your policy, home insurance may pay the cost of buying new items to replace destroyed belongings, or it might cover only the cash value of the destroyed items–cost minus depreciation.
Regardless of your policy type, a fire is bound to burn up any enjoyment of candles. Take precautions to keep you and your loved ones safe.
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