MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief
Spokesperson, 240-508-7930
mebrady@co.pg.md.us
@PGFDPIO
The fire service has seen an increase in home fires with the
popularity and increased use of candles. Combine the everyday popularity
with the increased use during the Holiday Season where candles play an
important role in religious celebrations and the chances of a candle igniting a
fire increases. December is the peak time of year for home candle
fires. In December, across the country, 13% of home candle fires begin
with decorations compared to 4% the rest of the year.
The Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department is providing
safety tips from the United States Fire Administration to help eliminate
preventable candle fires and keep Safety First to ensure everyone goes home.
On average there are 42 home candle fire reported every day.
Causes and Circumstances of Home Candle Fires
More than half of all candle
fires start when something that could burn, such as furniture, mattresses or
bedding, curtains, or decorations is too close to the candle.
In one-fifth (20%) of candle
fires, the candles are unattended or abandoned.
Over one-third (36%) of home
candle fires begin in the bedroom.
Falling asleep is a factor in
12% of home candle fires and 36% of the associated deaths.
December is the peak time of
year for home candle fires. In December 13% of home candle fires begin
with decorations compared to 4% the rest of the year.
One-half of home candle fire
deaths occur between Midnight and 6 am.
Young children and older
adults have the highest death risk from candle fires.
The risk of fatal candle
fires appears higher when candles are used for light.
Sources: NFIRS,
NFPA
CANDLE
SAFETY TIPS
Consider using
battery-operated flameless candles, which can look, smell and fell like real
candles.
If you do use candles,
ensure they are in sturdy metal, glass or ceramic holders and placed where they
cannot be easily knocked down.
Avoid using candles in
bedrooms and sleeping areas.
Extinguish candles after
use and before going to bed.
Keep candles at least 12
inches from anything that can burn.
Keep candles out of the
reach of children and pets.
Set a good example by
using matches, lighters and fire carefully.
Children should never be
allowed to play with matches, lighters or candles.
Never use a candle where
medical oxygen is being used. The two can combine to create a large, unexpected
fire.
Always use a flashlight –
not a candle – for emergency lighting.
Never put candles on a
Christmas tree.
When using in home
worship, don't place lit candles in windows, where blinds and curtains can
close over them, or pass handheld candles from one person to another. To lower
the risk of fire, only only a few designated adults should use candles.
And NEVER leave burning
candles unattended!
Remember! Candle
fires are PREVENTABLE!
In the event of a fire,
remember time is the biggest enemy and every second counts!
Escape first, and then call
for help. Develop a home fire escape plan and practice it frequently with your
family. Designate a meeting place outside. Make sure everyone in the
family knows two ways to escape from every room.
Finally, as in every season,
have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms installed on every level of your
home, test them monthly and keep them clean and equipped with fresh batteries
at all times. We strongly encourage the use of 10-year, tamper proof, with hush
feature smoke and CO alarms.
Know when and how to call for
help. Remember to practice your home escape plan.
The Prince George's County
Safety First Program will provide County residents with a working smoke alarm
and install one for you, free of charge. Simply call 311.
Please watch this music video by Blake Shelton. It is
an excellent example of what can and will go wrong when you leave candles
burning unattended. It only takes one misplaced or unattended candle to
cause this type of damage.
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