The holidays can be a magical time and holiday fire safety is crucial! Holiday decorations, especially those involving candles can pose fire hazards if not used or maintained properly. Candles are a part of many celebrations, but open flames make them dangerous if they tip over or when they are placed too close to anything that can burn. Did you know that according to NFPA data, on average, 20 home candle fires are reported each day?
Here are some candle safety tips:
- Consider using battery-operated flameless candles, which can look, smell, and feel like real candles.
- If you do use lit candles, make sure they are in stable holders and place them where they cannot be knocked down easily.
- Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that burns.
- Blow out candles when you leave a room or home, or when you go to bed. Never leave a burning candle alone.
- Don’t use lit candles in bedrooms, bathrooms and sleeping areas.
- Use flashlights, not candles, if you have a power outage.
By staying vigilant, you can enjoy a safer and happier holiday season. For more information please visit: Put a Freeze on Winter Holiday Fires (fema.gov)