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Department of Fire Services
P.O. Box 1025
State Road
Stow MA 01775
http://www.mass.gov/dfs | Information on candle fires available on-line:
Candle Safety Day- December 12, 2011
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 this day be observed in an appropriate manner by the people. 144 Candle Fires Caused 11 Civilian & Seven Fire Service Injuries
In 2010, candles caused 144 fires of all types. These fires caused 11 civilian injuries, seven firefighter injuries and an estimated dollar loss of $3.9 million in damages. There was an 11% increase from the 130 fires of all types started by candles in Massachusetts in 2009. Candle Fires Happen Most During the Holidays
The increased candle use during the holidays leads to more candle fires. Between 2006 and 2010, the day of the year the most candle fires occurred was December 24, Christmas Eve, with 10 candle fires. October 31, Halloween, November 3, was a close second. Candles should be blown out when you leave the room and children should always be supervised, especially when around burning candles. Extra care should be taken to prevent candle fires during the holidays. Westwood Has Largest Loss Candle Fire
On November 10, 2010, at 5:43 a.m., the Westwood Fire Department was called to a candle fire in a single-family home. The fire started when a candle ignited a blanket in their living room. One (1) firefighter was injured in this fire. Smoke detectors were present and alerted the occupants. The building was not sprinklered and damages were estimated to be $600,000. 95% of Candle Fires Occurred in Homes
Of the 124 candle fires that occurred in buildings in 2010, 95% were residential fires. Candles caused 118 residential building fires, 10 civilian injuries, seven firefighter injuries and an estimated dollar loss of $3.9 million. One candle fire occurred in a public assembly property, one occurred in an institutional property, two occurred in businesses, and another two occurred in storage properties..
35% of Candle Fires in Homes Occurred in the Bedroom
Of the 114 candle fires in residential structures, 35% occurred in the bedroom. Thirteen percent (13%) occurred in the kitchen; 17% occurred in the living room; 8% happened in other rooms such as three-season rooms; and 9% started in the bathroom. It is all too easy to fall asleep and leave a candle burning unattended in the bedroom. 
DFS and NFPA Conducted Joint Study on Candle Fires
Candle fires had become a serious problem in Massachusetts during the decade of the 1990s, nearly tripling from 93 incidents in 1990 to an all-time high of 343 in 1999. The chart above shows candle fires over the past decade, decreasing from the peak of 299 candle fires in 2001 to 144 in 2010. Candle Safety Tips - Burn candles within a one-foot circle, free of anything that can burn.
- Never leave candles burning unattended.
- Always extinguish candles after use.
- Use a non-combustible saucer or candleholder.
- Keep candles out of reach of children and pets.
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