Candle Safety

By Sue C. Quimby, CPCU, AU, CIC, CPIW, DAE, CLP-A – Senior Vice President

Nothing says romance like a candlelit dinner, and there is not a much more festive setting than a home filled with aromatic candles. However, candles pose a significant fire hazard to your insureds. Helping clients understand and manage the risks of candles is another value-added service of the professional insurance agent.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), from 2018-2022, there were nearly 6,000 home structure fires per year started by candles.  The result: an average of over $257 million in direct property damage, 588 civilian injuries, and 744 civilian deaths. ON a positive note, this is down from an annual average of 9,300 house fires during the years 2009-2013.  Over 20 candle fires are reported every day. The peak month for these fires is December. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that 85% of candle fires could be prevented if three simple safety rules were followed.

The top three safety rules for candles are:

1. Burning candles should never be left unattended.  Extinguish candles completely, making sure the wick is no longer glowing, before you leave the room.
2. Never burn candles on or near anything that may catch fire. More than half of candle fires are caused by having combustible materials too close to the candle.
3. Keep candles out of reach of children and pets. Curious hands, a wagging tail or pouncing feline can mean instant disaster.

In addition, never use candles in areas where you may fall asleep. The NFPA reports that over 36% of candle fires start in the bedroom. Sleep is a contributing factor in these fires. Candles may seem like a good idea during power failures, but it is much safer to use flashlights and other battery-operated lighting. Above all, never use a candle as a night light.

Trim candle wicks to 1/4 inch before each use, and clean out any matches or other debris. When lighting candles, use care to keep hair and loose clothing away from the flame. The National Candle Association (www.candles.org) advises that the safest way to extinguish a candle is with a snuffer. Using water can cause hot wax to splatter, and glass containers to break.

Burn candles in a well-ventilated room, but keep them away from drafts. Drafts can cause uneven burning, flare-ups or sooting, or cause flammable materials such as curtains to come in contact with the flame. Candle holders should be specifically designed for candles, and sturdy enough to not tip over easily. Do not burn the candle all the way to the bottom. For example, tapers should not be allowed to burn to less than 2″. Never use candles in a home where oxygen is being used.

Gel candles pose another hazard, as they are designed to burn brightly for longer periods of time than wax candles. Do not burn gel candles longer than two hours at a time, as the resulting heat buildup can cause containers to explode.

Avoid burning candles that include combustible materials as decorations. Some decorative candles have been found to melt too quickly, overflowing the container and posing a risk of burns or fires. Still others have been recalled because the jars break, leading to laceration and burning hazards.  A full list of recalls is available on the CPSC website: CPSC.gov/Recalls.

Fire is not the only candle hazard. Gases that are released during the burning process could be harmful to children or those with lung issues, or if inhaled at high doses. To lessen the risk of possible adverse health impact, use all cotton wicks (some may contain lead or metal), and opt for soy or beeswax candles. Lead use in wicks was banned in the United States in 2003 due to concerns over lead-poisoning hazards, especially in children

Improper use of burning candles can lead to tragedy. Helping your insureds protect their possessions and maintain their personal safety is the sign of the true insurance professional.

This article is for educational and discussion purposes only and it is not insurance or legal advice and should not be relied upon when making insurance or legal decisions. Nothing herein shall be construed to constitute a legal or underwriting opinion. Nothing herein shall be construed as offering any political, social, or public policy opinion by the author or MSO. Neither the author nor MSO are responsible for errors in, or the accuracy or currentness of, the article.