In the last decade home candle fire
have more than tripled. In 1990 approximately 5,500
candle fires were reported, in 2002 there were over 18,000 candle fires reported
in the United States. In 2002, candle fires were blamed for 130
deaths, 1,350 injuries and $333 million in property loss.
December has almost
twice the number of home candle fires of an average month. And
Christmas Day saw the most candle fires with 180 candle fires occurring on
December 25 alone. New Year's Day and Christmas Eve came in a close second
with had 150 candle fires occurring each day. You need to be
especially cautious using candles around home decorations. 45 percent of
all candle fires were started when a candle ignited decorations. 20
percent were caused by candles igniting curtains or drapes.
One third of all candle fires
occurred after candles were left unattended, abandoned or inadequately
controlled.
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