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Candle Fires Triple: Study

20 January 2006

As decorative and scented candles increase in popularity, the number of candle fires has risen -- tripling between 1990-2002 -- according to a recent National Fire Protection Association study.

In 2001-2004, candles ignited 18,000 home fires across the U.S., accounting for 5 percent of home fires. This is up from 1 percent in the early 1980s. These fires in 2002 caused an estimated 130 fire deaths, 1,350 civilian fire injuries and $333 million in direct property damage, according to the Quincy, MA-based association.

Falling asleep when a candle was lit was a factor in 12 percent of home candle fires and 25 percent of fatalities. Nearly 25 percent of fatal home candle fires in 2002 occurred in properties where the power had been shut off; 7 percent occurred during temporary power outages.

In all cases, safety with candles is of the utmost importance.

Information for this article was obtained from the November 2005 issue of "Every Second Counts".