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City of Vancouver, Washington

Fire Department

Safety & Prevention - Fire Safety At Home

Candle Safety

Candles are one of the leading causes of home fires. December is the peak month for candle fires, with nearly twice the number of incidents.

WHY?:

• Unattended candles can be knocked over by children or pets
• Candles may be too close to combustibles such as curtains or bedding
• Inadequate candle holders fail to contain the spread of fire 

Safety guidelines

• Extinguish all candles when leaving the room or going to sleep.
• Keep candles away from items that can catch fire (e.g. clothing, books, paper, curtains, Christmas trees, flammable decorations).
• Use candle holders that are sturdy, won't tip over easily, are made from a material that won't burn, and are large enough to collect dripping wax.
• Don't place lit candles in windows, where blinds and curtains can close over them.
• Place candle holders on a sturdy, uncluttered surface. Do not use candles in places where they could be knocked over by children or pets.
• Keep candles and all open flames away from flammable liquids.
• Keep candle wicks trimmed to one-quarter inch and extinguish taper and pillar candles when they get to within two inches of the holder or decorative material. Votives and containers should be extinguished before the last half-inch of wax starts to melt.
• Avoid candles with combustible items embedded in them.

Candles and children

• Keep candles up high out of reach of children.
• Never leave a child unattended in a room with a candle. A child should not sleep in a room with a lit candle.
• Don't allow children or teens to have candles in their bedrooms.
• Store candles, matches and lighters up high and out children's sight and reach, preferably in a locked cabinet.

During power outages

• Use a flashlight instead or candles. Don't use a lit candle when searching for items in a confined space.
• Never use a candle for a light when checking pilot lights or fueling equipment such as a kerosene heater or lantern. The flame may ignite the fumes.

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