Candles may look nice, but they’re a growing fire threat in our communities. And knowing the facts about candles is a key to fire safety. That’s why NFPA has chosen “Use Candles with Care” as the theme for Fire Prevention Week (FPW), October 9-15.

According to the National Fire Protection Association:

Over the last decade, candle fires have tripled. In 2001 alone, an estimated 18,000 home fires started by candles were reported to fire departments, an all time high. These fires resulted in 190 deaths, 1,450 injuries and an estimated property loss of $265 million.

Forty-one percent of U.S.home candle fires begin in the bedroom, causing 24% of the deaths resulting from these fires.

A special study found that the candles were being used for light in one-third of the fatal home candle fires, generally because power to the home had been shut off due to nonpayment (24%) or as a result of a temporary power outage (7%).

December had almost twice the number of home candle fires of an average month.

Seven out of 10 households in the U.S.now use candles, with younger adults more likely to use them than older adults.