Danger Sealed in Wax

Candles are hot. Not the plain white sticks of the past but the funky, colorful designs of today that come in every imaginable shape, size and scent. When it comes to home decorating, they are considered an inexpensive way to brighten a room and create a warm mood at night.

But as candles grow in popularity, fire officials are expressing concern about the potential dangers that lurk amid the flickering light.

Candle Stump Ignites Wreath

Foothill Ranch resident Mary Tenuta witnessed firsthand how a candle stump, not quite snuffed out, can erupt into a potentially devastating blaze.

Last month, Tenuta blew out a candle, placed high on the living room mantle, before going to bed. In the dark, the flame seemed to be extinguished, Tenuta recalled. But in less than two hours, the wreath above the mantle caught fire.

A smoke detector went off, and the Tenutas blanketed the smoldering wreath of dried twigs and threw it into their swimming pool. The fire charred a wall, but caused no structural damage.

“This particular candle, it was this little tiny flame that didn’t do anything,” Tenuta said. ‘I assumed I put it out; little did I know I didn’t.”

She’s not alone. Candles caused 11,600 home fires, 156 deaths, 1,202 injuries and $171.1 million in property damage nationwide in 1997, according to the national Fire Protection Assn. For the most part, these figures have increased every year since 1990 and most dramatically between 1995-97--just as candle sales doubled, according to Marianne McDermott, executive vice president of the National Candle Assn.

Leaving a lighted candle unattended or near flammable materials is one of the most common fire starters, said John Hall, assistant vice president at the National Fire Protection Assn.

About 80% of all candle-related fires occur in homes, sometimes caused by decorative flames being placed in high-traffic areas or in incompatible holders.

“The problem has been rising dramatically over the years,” Hall said.

Though Orange County hasn’t seen such a dramatic rise in candle fires, officials said residents must still be careful as they bring ever more candles into their homes. And they can attest to the damages and injuries a decorative flame can cause.

Dan Chidefter, division chief of operations for the Fullerton Fire Department, recalls a candle-lit Thanksgiving dinner during which a shirt sleeve brushed against a flame and caught fire. The victim suffered first- and second-degree burns.

Also recently, he said, two candles adorning a bathroom caught the room on fire when a towel was placed too near a flame.

“We always get candle fires,” Chidefter said. “It’s a light, and we get used to it being there, and we tend to forget it’s an active open flame. So it gets knocked down and used more around decorations and crowds.”

Hall agreed.

“When you look at the causes that show up, there’s clearly a need for improved public education and safe usage,” Hall added. “People know they want the information on how candles look nice, but in case of safety, they haven’t thought about it.”

Voluntary Warnings Being Implemented

In response, the National Candle Assn., the Consumer Product Safety Commission and candle manufacturers are implementing voluntary standards like warning labels on candles. But even without widespread education, fire officials urge candle consumers to learn about the fire hazards before buying and using candles.

“I’ve talked to everybody about the fire,” Tenuta said. “You can still enjoy candles; you just have to be extra, extra careful. It needs to be at a place where you are and you can’t just assume the flame is out, you have to physically look inside.”

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Candle Concern

As candles grow in popularity, fire officials are expressing concern about the potential dangers that lurk amid the flickering light. Here are some facts:

CAUSES OF CANDLE FIRES

Combustible, too close to heat: 17.7%

Unattended: 16.0

Misuse, not specified: 13.1

Inadequate control of open fire: 9.2

Child playing: 8.5

Abandoned, discarded material: 7.1

Falling asleep: 4.3

Other: 24.0

NOTE: Total do not equal 100% because of rounding.

ROOM IN WHICH MOST CANDLE FIRES OCCUR

Bedroom: 45.2%

Family: 17.5

Bathroom: 11.2

Kitchen: 6.3

Other: 19.8

TIPS

* Never leave a burning candle unattended.

* Keep lighted candles out of the reach of children and pets.

* Avoid burning candles near combustible materials.

* Never light candles in or near Christmas trees.

* Candles should always be burned in proper candle-holders or bases.

* Extinguish candles when they get within 2 inches of their holders or decorations.

* Keep votive wicks centered and trimmed to 1/4” while burning to prevent breaking the glass.

HOME FIRES IN THE U.S. CAUSED BY CANDLES

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Civilian Civilian Year Number Deaths Injuries 1993 6,310 82 627 1994 7,160 81 853 1995 8,440 76 914 1996 9,930 126 1,140 1997 11,600 156 1,202

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Source: National Candle Assn., National Fire Protection Assn.