USFA's National Fire Data Center Releases Findings on Candle Fires in Structural Residences

News Release Date: July 20, 2006

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EMMITSBURG, MD. - Acting United States Fire Administrator Charlie Dickinson announced today the completion of a report on candle fires in residential structures. Candles are responsible for an estimated 23,600 residential structure fires each year and cause 1,525 civilian injuries, 165 fatalities, and $390 million in direct property loss.

"Typically, we call attention to the dangers of candle fires in the home around the winter holiday season, and last October's theme for Fire Prevention Week was Use Candles with Care," said Acting Fire Administrator Charlie Dickinson. "Regardless of the season, it's important to remind the public of the seriousness of candle fires."

The report, Candle Fires in Residential Structures, was developed by the USFA's National Fire Data Center as part of its Topical Fire Research Series and is based on three years of data from the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) for 2002-2004. This topical report examines the causes and characteristics of candle fires. Areas of information discussed in the report include residential fire losses, seasonality of candle fires, items first ignited and area of origin, factors leading to candle fires, and product recalls, plus conclusions covering candle use during the past decade. "Every candle having an open flame poses the risk of fire," Dickinson said. "Use all candles with care."

A copy of this report and other reports in this series may be downloaded from the Topical Fire Research Series page.