Candle Fire Safety Week – safety tips from Acorn

More house fires caused by candles occur during December than any other month. As December and the Christmas and New Year celebrations approach and the season for Christmas present buying arrives it’s a timely occasion to emphasis the potential dangers and steps to take to reduce candle hazards and risk and keep safe.

The Candle Fire Safety Week runs from November 14-19 in the UK, as part of the national Fire Kills campaign. At Acorn we support the Candle Fire Safety campaign and are helping to spread the safety message.

Candle Fire Statistics

Every house fire is distressing to families and neighbours, and unfortunately a few  have tragic consequences:

• Around 1300 home fires are caused by candles in the UK each year, making it statistically a daily occurrence
• 18 people died in fires caused by candles in 2008 ( recent national government fire statistics)
• Around 1 in 3 people who is injured in a fire at home is injured by a fire caused by a candle
• Candles are the second highest cause of fire injuries, after cigarettes
• 3 out of 4 candle fires is categorised as severe, causing significant damage to property or injuries to people

We hope you don’t become one of these statistics, and suffer the consequences.

Acorn tips to reduce Candle Fire risks

Here are our tips to help to keep you and your loved ones safe during the festive season:

1. If you’re buying candles as presents for family or friends consider the safety merits of enclosed or shielded candles rather than exposed flames
2. Take particular care when using long, tall candles in candle holders, candlesticks or candelabra. There is a danger that they could get knocked over by people, pets, or curtains, so heavy based candle holders tend to be more stable. Place them where these risks are reduced, such as in the centre of a dining table or on the mantlepiece. As they burn down the taller candles could ignite Christmas decorations or similar combustible material, so consider this possibility when placing and lighting your candles.
3. Reduce the naked flame risk. Look for enclosed candle holders and tea light holders – such as deeper glass holders, or chunky candles that will shield the flame once they have burned a recess or well. You can also find Hurricane Candle Holders from some outlets.
4. Flammable materials near to candles – check that candles are not near to flammable materials such as curtains or Christmas decorations, such as holly or paper-chains.
5. Candles on tables – take care to avoid placing candles where people or children might accidentally come in contact with the flame, such as on the dining table or buffet, where reaching for food might result in a burn, or ignite a sleeve.
6. Scented candles – consider a Burner or Diffuser where the candle is enclosed, rather than open scented candle. These make attractive gifts for people.
7. Lighting candles – where the wick is shielded candles can be difficult to light with a match. Why not invest in a gas candle lighter, and give one as a gift to help others to reduce the risks.
8. Do not leave lighted candles unattended, and beware of the heat they product, and the heat in nearly materials such as scent diffusers.
9. Extinguishing candles – doing this with a snuffer or a spoon avoids the risk of blowing hot wax or burnt fingers.
10. If you do get a minor burn run the affected area under cold water immediately to reduce the spread of the heat.
11. Check and test your fire alarm to make sure it is working correctly.
12. Keep matches and candles securely away from young children as they may be tempted to play with them.

In this electronic age there are now some ‘flameless’ alternatives, such as LED (light emitting diode) illuminated flickering candle lights.

The Fire Kills website

Further information can be found on the Facebook pages for Fire Kills, on Twitter @FireKills and hashtag #CFSW

Safety is about planning and anticipation as much as vigilance when there are many distractions.

We hope you plan a safe Christmas for you, your family and your colleagues, at work and at home.

 Photo by Brenda Starr