Office of the State Fire Marshal
State Fire Marshal Charles M. Duffy
Captain Jason Berry
Government and Media Relations
(360) 596-4010 – office
(360) 596-4015 – fax
http://www.wsp.wa.gov
*** For Immediate Release***
Date:
February 14, 2011
Contact:
Deputy State Fire Marshal Barbara McMullen
Phone:
(360) 596-3911
E-mail:
barbara.mcmullen@wsp.wa.gov
Keep Fires Burning in Your Heart Not in Your House!
Last year, 124 candle fires causing over $4.5 million in damages were reported to the Office of State Fire Marshal by fire agencies across the state. That number has increased by 33 fires and almost twice the cost in damages from 2009, $2.3 million. Before using candles to “set the mood” this Valentine’s Day, residents should be aware that on average, 42 home candle fires are reported every day. Twenty percent of the fires, the candles were unattended or abandoned. “Although the ambiance of candles is meant to be romantic, when handled unsafely, they have the potential to cause serious fires,” says State Fire Marshal Charles Duffy.
The Office of State Fire Marshal offers the following candle safety tips to help you and your Valentine have a safe and happy Valentine’s Day:
- Always keep burning candles within sight and use candles only in rooms where there is a responsible adult to control and oversee the flame.
- Extinguish all candles when leaving a room or before going to sleep and do not use candles in sleeping areas.
- Keep candles away from combustibles such as clothing, books, decorations, window blinds, and curtains.
- Keep candles away from high-traffic areas where they can be easily knocked over, including any area accessible to children or pets.
- Place candles on stable surfaces in non-tip sturdy holders that grip the candle.
- Place candles in holders that can’t burn and are big enough to collect dripping wax.
- Use extreme caution if you carry a lit candle, holding it away from clothing and any combustibles that may be near your path of travel.
More information on candle safety may be found on the following websites: www.usfa.dhs.gov; www.candles.org; and www.nfpa.org.
The Office of the State Fire Marshal is a Bureau of the Washington State Patrol, providing fire and life safety services to the citizens of Washington State including inspections of state licensed facilities, plan review of school construction projects, licensing of fire sprinkler contractors and pyrotechnic operators, training Washington State’s firefighters, and collecting emergency response data.
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