Montclair Fire Department Lists Candle Safety Tips for Your Holiday Season

‘Tis the season to deck the halls, but the Montclair Fire Department wants residents to deck the halls with safety.

The Montclair Fire Department reports it has already responded to a number of candle-related fires this season and is offering some tips from the National Fire Protections Association (NFPA) to help prevent that from happening in your home.

According to a release from the Montclair Fire Department, the NFPA reports an estimated 10,630 home fires are started by candles each year. An average of 29 home fires are started by candles across the country each day. The annual number of fires have approximately 115 deaths, 903 civilian injuries and resulted in over $418 million in property damage, the news release said.

The NFPA says that while candles may be pretty to look at, they are open flames and can cause home fires — and home fire deaths. Here’s a list of tips from the NFPA shared by the Montclair Fire Department.

Candle Safety Tips from the NFPA:

• Blow out all candles when you leave a room or go to sleep. Avoid using candles in the bedroom and other places where you or someone else may fall asleep.
• Keep all candles at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn.
• Flameless candles are a safe alternative to real candles and they look and smell like the real things.

But, if you do prefer to burn real candles, make sure that you do the following:

• Use candle holders that are stable, and won’t tip over easily.
• Place the candle holder on a stable and uncluttered surface.
• Keep loose hair and any loose clothing away from the flame when lighting a candle.
• Extinguish a candle before it gets too close to the holder or container. Don’t burn it all the way down.
• If oxygen is used in the home, never burn a candle.
• In case of a power outage, don’t use candles. Make sure you have flashlights and battery-powered lighting ready to go.

Candles and Kids:

• Never leave a child unattended with a burning candle.
• Keep any matches, lighters or anything that can ignite something away from and out of reach of all children. Try keeping them in a locked cabinet.

Facts:

• December is the peak time of year for home candle fires.
• About one-third of all home candle fires start in the bedroom.
• More than one half of all home candle fires happen because things that can burn are too close to the candle.

Check out this list of some more tips from the Millburn Fire Department regarding safety from home fires during the holidays.