It won’t be long until Valentine’s Day, and that means that you may be burning more candles than usual. The The National Fire Protection Association has some timely tips for candle safety.
Click here to view the whole report and watch the video by Lisa Braxton. Here are some highlights:
During the years between 2009-2013, 25 home candle fires were reported per day, and falling asleep was a factor in 30% of the deaths associated with home candle fires.
We use candles for many different reasons, but it is important to remember that a candle is an open flame.
1. Blow out all candles when you go to bed.
2. Avoid using them in the bedroom and in other areas where people may fall asleep.
3. Use candle holders that are sturdy and will not tip over easily.
4. If oxygen is being used in the home, do not use candles.
5. If the electricity goes out, use flashlights and battery powered lighting instead of candles.
6. Never leave a child alone in the room with a burning candle.
The NFPA also offers a tip sheet here to help you use candles safely. The sheet offers the following additional tips:
• Don’t burn a candle all the way down — put it out before it gets too close to the holder or container.
• Keep matches and lighters up high and out of children’s reach, in a locked cabinet.
• Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn. 1
The tip sheet also suggests thinking about using flameless candles in your home. These candles have flickering lights that mimic the look of a real flame. You can even get some that smell like real candles. The advantage, however, is that they are much safer, as they do not use a real flame.
At Best Security Products, we can help you with all commercial and home fire security and safety needs. Give us a call at 1-800–988–2378 sales@bestsecurityproducts.com
1 http://www.nfpa.org/~/media/files/safety-information/safety-tip-sheets/candlesafetytips.pdf?la=en