The past decade has seen an increase in candle usage, with candles now flickering in seven out of ten households in America. It’s easy to see why: in addition to being relatively inexpensive, candles have a way of adding atmosphere and romance. However, experts report that home candle-related fires also have increased substantially during the past decade, and warn that magic moments can turn into tragic moments unless proper precautions and common sense are used from the start.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) almost 19,000 home candles fires were reported in 2001, resulting in an estimated 190 civilian fire deaths, 1450 civilian fire injuries, and more than $265 million in direct property damage. The trend has steadily decreased since then, down to 15,500 homes, 150 civilian deaths, and 1270 civilian injuries; but the direct property damage loss has climbed to over $539 million. Experts feel the trend will start to climb again as people start spending more time at home due to the much higher costs of fuel we are now seeing.
“People should always keep in mind that a lit candle is an open flame,” says Marty Ahrens of the NFPA. “That means that if left unattended, or used carelessly, candles have the potential for disaster. These days, many people are using candles as part of their décor, but from a practical standpoint, some home interior decorating ideas are completely unsafe.”
“Most candles fires are from simple carelessness,” said David J. Bonné, Vice President of Hudson Valley Agents in Walden NY. “A candle can be like a wolf, turn your back on it for one minute and it can really hurt you. However, a little common sense can prevent fires from occurring and save lives.”
According to the NFPA, the following tips can help consumers stay safe:
- Consider your children and pets! An adventurous toddler, a puppy’s wagging tail, or a cat jumping on the mantle can cause a lot of trouble. Never use candles where they can be knocked over by children or pets. Keep candles, matches, and lighters stored high and out of the reach of children, and never allow teens or children to have candles in their bedroom.
- Keep things on a level playing field. Make certain candles are placed on a stable piece of furniture, in sturdy holders that won’t tip over. Candles should fit into their holders securely and the holders should be made from materials that will not burn.
- Keep candles away from other combustibles. Candles can easily cause many objects to ignite. Wood paneling and paperwork are obvious targets, but even a curtain in front of an open window or drafty area can pose a hazard, given the right breeze.
- Avoid greenery. Greenery can catch fire and spread very quickly. Avoid using candles in floral arrangements.
- Quality counts! Fire is not the only candles related concern. Candles can damage a house when they “burn dirty,” which means that they put out smoke into the air, which will be drawn to-and stain-walls and ceilings. “It can make the room look as though it had been damaged by a fire in another room,” explains Mr. Bonné. “But unlike a fire, which is sudden and unexpected, this type of damage takes place over a period of time, and may not be covered under your homeowners insurance policy.” Always be sure to use name brand, quality candles.
Holiday candles usage is a special concern, because December is the peak month for candle fires in homes, with almost twice the average numbers of incidents reported. Of these fires, the leading type involves holiday decorations. “Many fires occur when items, such as greenery or other decorations, come into contact with a lit candle,” said Ahrens. Always consider fire safety when using candles as part of your holiday decorating.”
To help consumers avoid getting burned, Hudson Valley Agents has designed the 1st of it’s kind web portal designed to offer products that will help consumers avoid potential safety hazards and possibly reduce their insurance costs by giving additional discounts on their policies for having such products. “The uniqueness of this portal is that all your insurance safety related items are there under one roof so to speak,” says Mr. Bonné. “No more hunting and pecking around the web or in stores for these items, and they’re not cluttered in with other non-safety related items.” To find out more about these products go to www.hvagents.com . From there you can click on any of the safety links or learn more about insurance safety and hazard prevention by visiting the “insurance encyclopedia” in our resource center. You can also call our agency and speak to a professional anytime with any questions you may have.
Insurance Is Not Evil 