 Information on candle fires available on-line:Candle Safety Day- December 14, 2009
The second Monday in December has been established as Candle Safety Day by MGL C.6: S.12XX to promote the safe use of candles in the Commonwealth and recommending that said day be observed in an appropriate manner by the people. 155 Candle Fires Caused $6.3 Million in Damages
In 2008, candles caused 155 fires of all types. These fires caused, 14 civilian injuries, ten firefighter injuries and an estimated dollar loss of $6.3 million in damages. There was a 5% increase from the 146 fires of all types started by candles in Massachusetts in 2007. Candle Fires Happen Most During the Holidays
Between 2004 and 2008, the day of the year when the most candle fires occurred was December 24, Christmas Eve with 10 reported candle fires. Halloween also had 10 reported candle fires during the same time period. Halloween had the third most candle fires with 10. November 28 (near Thanksgiving), December 12 and December 19 had the third highest number of candle fires during any one day of the year during the past five years with eight. Newton Has Largest Loss Candle Fire
On October 7, 2008, at 9:00 p.m., the Newton Fire Department was called to a candle fire in a 34-unit apartment building. The fire started when an unattended candle tipped over into a wastebasket in the living room of fourth floor apartment. Fortunately fire sprinklers quickly put out the fire. Smoke detectors were also present and operated. Damages were estimated to be $847,000. Most Candle Fires Happen at Home – Many in the bedroom.
Over 85% of candle fires occurred in homes. More than one-third, 37%, of candle fires in homes occurred in the bedroom. Smoke detectors operated in 62% of candle fires in homes. 
Candle Safety Tips- Burn candles in the center of a 1-foot Circle of Safety, free of anything that can burn.
- Stay in the same room with burning candles; do not leave unattended.
- Burn candles on a non-combustible surface such as a ceramic saucer, or plate.
- Be sure to snuff out candles before falling asleep, going out, or leaving the room.
- Teach everyone in the family the rules of safe candle use.
- Keep candles out of reach of small children and pets.
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Candle Fires Over the Last Decade
Candle fires had become a serious problem in Massachusetts during the decade of the 1990’s, nearly tripling from 93 incidents in 1990 to an all time high of 342 in 1999. The following chart shows candle fires over the past decade increasing from the peak of 342 candle fires in 1999 to 148 in 2007. 
There has been a downward trend in candle fires since the year 2000. Stronger public education and tougher industry standards are the main reasons for this downturn. From 1999 to 2008 this drop increased to 45%.In 2000, State Fire Marshal Coan began reaching out to candle manufacturers and retailers in Massachusetts to ask for their help in educating consumers on candle fire safety and to highlight and separate fire safety information from other fire safe use tips. He also asked them to adopt the candle Circle of Safety logo, to use it in their printed materials and on their web pages.
Joint Study with the NFPA.
In 1999, a new effort to analyze these incidents began. In conjunction with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the Office of the State Fire Marshal conducted a follow-up survey that went out to any fire department having a candle fire for one year. The goal was to gain a greater understanding of these incidents, why they are happening and what we can do to prevent them. Major findings from the report were:The downward trend is contrary to the national trend of the increasing problem of candle fires, especially in residences. According to the NFPA’s most recent statistics[1], the share of fires started by candles in homes has jumped to 5%. In Massachusetts candle fires only represent 1% of total residential building fires. New NFPA Study
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) published a study on Home Candle Fires in September 2007. The study indicates that candle fires are still a national fire problem accounting for 4% of residential fires. They study found that the top five days for home candle fires were Christmas, Christmas Eve, New Year’s Day, New Year’s Eve, and Halloween.
[1] Ahrens, Marty, “Home Candle Fires,” NFPA, Quincy, MA (August 2005); pg. 1. | 
