MOUNT VERNON — Candles are popular for their fragrance, and the mood they set in a room. They also can be extremely dangerous, having caused approximately 15,600 home structure fires in 2005.
The increased popularity of candles has coincided with a startling rise in fires started by candles. More than twice as many were reported in 2005 as in 1990.
These fires can be deadly or lead to serious injury. In Ohio last year, two people were killed and another 51 injured in 349 candle fires.
Local fire officials have also responded to house fires caused by candles. Fredericktown Community Fire District Chief Scott Mast said he has seen at least two.
The Central Ohio Joint Fire District has responded to two structure fires this year in which candles were involved. In July, a house fire on Eckard Road was determined to have been caused by a candle children left unattended in a bedroom.
In January, a firefighter and civilian were injured when a 3-year-old, possibly trying to light a candle with a lighter, ignited a mattress. The fire spread when one of the residents attempted to drag the burning mattress from the home.
Local fire chiefs warn of the dangers of using candles in a home with children.
“Any open flame is going to intrigue kids,” said Mast. “You can never leave them unattended with children around.”
He added that lit candles should be put out of children’s reach.
College Township Chief Bill Smith agreed.
“They should never be where kids can get to them when they’re burning,” he said.
“Before kids hit their teens, they shouldn’t be handling candles,” said COJFD Chief Joe Porter.
Capt. Chris Willis, fire prevention officer for the Eastern Knox County Joint Fire District, said people often forget to blow candles out before leaving the room. He said the decorations seen around the bottoms of candles can be very combustible.
Smith said leaving candles near flammable materials is a sometimes overlooked hazard.
“You need to keep them away from flammable objects like tapestries, curtains, blinds and mattresses,” he said.
Bladensburg Fire Chief Nick Cockrell said that with the exception of candle warmers that produce a scent without a flame, he doesn’t allow candles in his home.
“I don’t think they’re safe to have around kids,” he explained.
The peak days for candle fires are fast approaching, according to the National Fire Protection Association. The top five days for these fires are Halloween, Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. More candle fires occur in December than any other month.
The NFPA offers these safety tips for using candles:
•Keep candles at least 12 inches from anything that can burn.
•Use sturdy, safe candleholders.
•Never leave a burning candle unattended. Extinguish candles when leaving a room.
•Be careful not to splatter wax when extinguishing a candle.
•Avoid using candles in bedrooms and sleeping areas.
•Always use a flashlight, not a candle, for emergency lighting.
•Consider using battery-operated flameless candles.
