Candle Safety: How to Avoid Fires

Candles are a common decoration found in homes and businesses, including hotels, offices, restaurants, and more. Whether they are used to deodorize a space, light up a room, provide ambiance and a pleasant scent, or more, these common interior features are simple ways to add character to a room. Unfortunately, they can be dangerous if not handled properly. So, how can you safely handle candles to help minimize your chance of a fire? SERVPRO^® is Here to Help^® explain this and more.

Common Types of Candles

As Yankee Candle describes, there are a variety of candle types. They are often differentiated by their wax differences and styles. Varieties include:

• Soy Wax. As Candle Science describes, soy wax is “a vegetable wax made from the oil of soybeans.” Soy wax candles are popular choices, in that they tend to burn slowly and are a sustainable option.
• Bees Wax. Harvested from bees, this type of wax is a natural, eco-friendly choice that tends to burn longer than other wax types.
• Paraffin Wax. Harlem Candle Company indicates that paraffin wax is a synthetic wax that comes from petroleum or crude oil. This type of wax is often used in both scented and decorative candles.
• Tea Light Candle. These are flat, small candles which are typically held in a plastic or metal container. They are frequently used in restaurants and event spaces.
• Pillar Candle. As Creative Candle notes, pillar candles are tall, sturdy candles that tend to use a denser wax than other candle types, meaning a longer burn time. They vary in height, color, thickness, number of wicks, and more.
• Multi-Wick Candle. Using two, three, or more wicks, these candles are designed to give off maximum light. They are frequently used in large spaces. Another unique feature of multi-wick candles is the large pool of wax they create, which can enhance the ambiance and allow for a stronger fragrance.

Facts About Candle Fires

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) provides some alarming statistics about candle fires, including:

• Approximately 20 candle fires are reported each day.
• December is the peak month for home candle fires.
• Over a third of candle fires originate in bedrooms.
• Three out of every five candle fires start when something placed too close to the candle catches fire.

The NFPA goes on to state that, during the period of 2018 - 2022:

• 4% of reported home fires were caused by candles.
• 4% of property damage in homes was caused by candles.
• 21% of home structure candle fires were caused by an unattended, misused, or discarded candle.
• An average of 5,910 home structure fires occurs each year, causing approximately $257 million in property damage.
• More than a third of candle fires started in the bedroom (36%).
• Sleep was a contributing factor in 10% of home structure candle fires.
• Half of candle fires started when curtains, decorations, paper, clothing, and/or other décor were too close to the candle.
• Candles caused a significant number of bedroom fires (second leading cause) and living room fires (fifth leading cause).

Candle Safety Tips

The U.S. Fire Administration and NFPA provide a variety of candle safety tips, including:

• Do not leave burning candles alone.
• Do not use candles in bedrooms or places where people may fall asleep.
• Place candles in stable holders and verify they cannot be easily knocked over.
  • Put candles and/or candle holders on a sturdy, uncluttered surface.
• Make sure candles are kept at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn.
• During a power outage, use a flashlight, rather than a candle, to see.
• Blow out candles before going to bed or leaving the area.
• Do not leave children alone with a burning candle.
  • Make sure matches are locked away and out of reach of children.
• Consider using battery-operated flameless candles, when appropriate.
• When lightning candles, make sure your hair, or any loose clothing or other items, is kept away. Light candles carefully.
• Do not burn a candle all the way down. Make sure to put it out before it gets to the bottom of the container or holder.

SERVPRO Provides 24/7 Fire Damage Cleanup Services

When fire damage strikes, SERVPRO is available 365 days a year to provide cleanup, restoration, and reconstruction services. In fact, franchises across North America offer a robust, seven-step fire damage restoration process. Keep in mind, while every job is different, this represents the steps of a “typical” fire damage cleanup process:

• Emergency Contact. The first step of the fire damage cleanup process occurs when you contact your local SERVPRO. A specialist will ask questions to help determine appropriate resources, equipment, and personnel to dispatch.
• Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment. In the second step, once technicians arrive, they will assess smoke, soot, and fire damage in adjoining rooms to where the fire occurred. This helps establish the extent of damage and allows technicians to develop an appropriate plan of action specific to your needs and location.
• Immediate Roof Tarp and Board-up Service. If needed, SERVPRO offers roof tarping and board-up services for any type of property. This can help protect against any additional damage, and provide security to your space.
• Water Removal and Drying. Oftentimes, after firefighting efforts are complete, water damage may be left. If water damage is present, SERVPRO technicians will implement the water cleanup process, utilizing air movers and dehumidifiers to fully remove the water and dry the space.
• Smoke and Soot Removal. Using specialized equipment, surfaces will be cleared of smoke and soot. This includes ceilings and walls.
• Cleaning and Sanitizing. Oftentimes, deodorization is required, along with extensive cleaning techniques to help ensure restorable items and structures are returned to pre-fire condition. This might involve document restoration, carpet and upholstery cleaning, and more.
• Restoration. The final step involves any final repairs, which could be minor, or involve significant reconstruction efforts. Whether you need reconstruction in your home or business, SERVPRO is committed to providing full-service cleanup and restoration services and will make it “Like it never even happened.”

For Restoration and Reconstruction, SERVPRO is Here to Help

With 2260 SERVPRO locations in the United States and Canada, there is a franchise near you, ready to service your candle fire damage around the clock. Whether a candle fell over and burnt your carpet, requiring thorough carpet cleaning, or your entire home or business experienced severe fire damage, SERVPRO provides 24-hour emergency services. Established in 1967, SERVPRO has proudly become the #1 choice in fire and water cleanup and restoration*.

Each franchise is committed to returning your property to pre-loss condition, “Like it never even happened.” In addition to fire cleanup, locations offer a variety of cleanup and restoration services, including odor removal, document restoration, ceiling, floor, and wall cleaning, and more. From residential fire damage cleanup to commercial property fire damage cleanup, SERVPRO comes to each job with elite tools and equipment, and decades of experience across the system.

Our website offers plenty of information about SERVPRO and the cleanup and restoration industry. To learn more, consider visiting our FAQ and glossary.