There are twice as many home candle fires in December than any other month.
Home candle fires have risen during the past decade. In 1997, the most recent year for which data is available, there was a reported 11,600 home candle fires in homes, which caused 156 civilian deaths, 1,202 civilian injuries, and more than $171 million in direct property damage. These 11,600 home candle fires were more than twice the 5,460 reported in 1990. Record levels were also reported in 1995 and 1996 with 8,440 and 9,930 home candle fires, respectively.
While other causes for home fires have decreased, the percentage caused by candles had gone the other way. Between 1980 and 1990, candles were responsible for 1.1 percent of home structure fires. In 1997, however, they were responsible for 2.9 percent.
According to data collected by NFPA and the National Fire Incident Reporting System, nearly one-third of home candle fires between 1993 and 1997 began when lit candles were left unattended, abandoned, or inadequately controlled. Nearly one-fifth of home candle fires began because the candle flame was too close to objects that could burn.
Of particular note this holiday season is the fact that there are historically twice the number of home candle fires in December than there are in an average month. And each year candles have been responsible for 43 percent of home decoration fires.
Peak Season
Not surprisingly, the winter holiday season is peak time for candle sales, which have increased dramatically during the past decade. In fact, the industry has grown 10 to 15 percent annually, and the growth rate shows no signs of slowing. U.S. candle consumer retail sales are projected at $2.3 billion for 2000. The National Candle Association (NCA) estimates there are more than 300 commercial, religious, or industrial candle manufacturers in the United States, and each major manufacturer offers 1,000 to 2,000 kinds of candles. The NCA also reports that candles are used in 7 out of 10 households.
The Massachusetts Office of the State Fire Marshal and NFPA studied candle fires that occurred in Massachusetts in 1999 to learn more about them. Separate questions asked if the candles were unattended and about the cause. They found that three-quarters of the candle fires in the state that year occurred when candles were unattended. Forty percent of all candle fires were caused by combustibles too close to the candle. Although consumers may think that jar candles don't need as much space as pillar or votive candles, almost half of the jar candle fires began when the candle was placed too close to combustibles.
And just because there's someone in the room when a candle is lit doesn't mean that he or she is monitoring the candle.
Roughly one-quarter of the fires in which combustibles were too close and in which candles were knocked over occurred when someone was present.
Candle Standards Needed
Consumers assume that their candle holders are safe, so they don't expect it to break or catch fire. However, there are no standards for glass candle containers. Although some glass containers are made of tempered glass that can withstand high temperatures, others are not. In the Massachusetts study 3 percent of the candle fires started when the holder broke. All the candle holders that broke were made of glass.
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has recalled several candles and candle-related products. But until standards are established to regulate the manufacture of candles in this country, CPSC can't require imported and domestic candles to meet any safety standards. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) is currently pursuing the possibility of voluntary safety labels for candles and is also looking into standards regulating glass candle containers and wax. CPSC is also investigating eliminating lead from wicks. Other product-related safety issues being studied include self-- extinguishing mechanisms that would put candles out when they burned down too far and halting the use of dried flowers and other combustibles in the candles themselves.
Candle Circle of Safety
The Massachusetts Public Fire and Safety Education Task Force set up a Candle Committee in late 1998. This committee has developed a "Candle Circle of Safety" logo bearing the top five messages aimed at preventing home candle fires. The group is meeting with candle companies to promote the logo in Massachusetts and nationally.