Insurance Tips

The beauty of a Menorah or the scent of a pine candle at Christmas causes many people to overlook one basic fact: "A candle is an open flame," cautions Marty Ahrens, fire analysis specialist for the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).  The greatest number of candle-related fires during 1999 (the most recent year for which statistics are available) occurred on Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and Christmas Eve.  Keep your family and home safe with these tips from NFPA:

• NEVER LEAVE A CANDLE UNATTENDED. Almost40 percent of all fires occurred after candles were left unsupervised or inadequately controlled.

• KEEP CANDLES AWAY FROM FLAMMABLE ITEMS. More than 20 percent of candle fires began because the flame was too close to an object.

• DON'T PLACE CANDLES WHERE A FAMILY PET IS LIKELY TO KNOCK THEM OVER.  

• ALWAYS EXTINGUISH ALL CANDLES BEFORE GOING TO BED.  Thirteen percent of candle related fires started after the user fell asleep.

Last Updated: June 29, 2004