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Materials most easily ignited by candles are:
Mattresses and bedding
Cabinetry
Curtains and Drapes
Interior Wall Coverings
Upholstered Furniture
Event Decorations
Clothing
Magazines
Newspapers and Writing Paper
Rugs
and other Floor Coverings
Towels
Beware of Lead Wicks
A paraffin candle sometimes has lead in the
wick's core, which you can spot by looking for a
thin wire in the center of the cotton wick. Lead
matter is emitted when the candle burns. This is
distressing news in light of the fact that 100
percent of lead inhaled from candlewicks is
absorbed into the bloodstream.
The
Journal of the American Medical Association
suggests that families exposed to candles with
metallic wicks should have their blood-lead
levels checked.
Children are particularly vulnerable to lead
poisoning. Chronic low-level exposure can
produce permanent neuro-psychological defects
and behavior disorders, including low IQ, short
attention span, hyperactive behavior and motor
difficulties. As for adults, early signs of
poisoning include gastrointestinal problems,
muscle pains and weakness, irritability,
excessive thirst, headache, insomnia, depression
and lethargy. People with asthma or lung or
heart diseases are especially susceptible
because even small amounts of lead particles can
aggravate their condition. |
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Candles are
enjoyable, calming and fragrant, but don't ever forget that
when you burn them, you are dealing with fire. Always take
proper precautions to prevent your enjoyable experience from
turning into a disaster.
The number of
home fires started by candles has increased dramatically in
the last ten years. According to the National Fire
Prevention Association the number of fires caused by candles
in homes throughout the country increased from 5,460 in 1990
to 11,600 in 1997 - the most recent year for which data are
available. Ironically this increase occurred during a
period in which home fires in general are on the decline.
U. S. consumers spent over $2.3 billion on candles during
the year 2000. Since the candle-making industry has grown
(and continues to grow) at a rate of about 10 to 15%
annually, opportunities for home fires will increase even
further unless consumers become more aware of the potential
for danger that candles pose if they are not used in
accordance with established safety procedures.
Most of these
candle-caused fires started when lit candles were left
unattended, or because some form of combustible material was
left too close to the candle, or because children were
playing with the candles or something flammable near the
candles. Five percent of home candle fires started when the
occupant fell asleep while the candle was burning. Almost
half of all candle fires start in the bedroom.
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The Bureau of
Fire Prevention offers the following advice for using
candles safely:
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Position
candles well away from flammable objects and materials,
and well away from any possible contact by pets or
children. Don't put lit candles in windows, where
blinds or curtains can close over them.
-
Keep candles
and all open flames away from flammable liquids.
-
Place
candles on heat-resistant surfaces which will not
transmit heat to the furniture on which they are
placed. Ceramics work well for this purpose. Candles
should also be placed in heat-resistant bowls that will
catch dripping wax, and secured in an appropriate holder
so there's not the slightest possibility of the candle
falling over, or being blown or knocked over.
-
Never leave
a burning candle unattended.
-
Never light
a candle in a situation in which you might fall asleep
before blowing it out.
-
When blowing
out a candle, hold your index finger in front of the
flame and blow at it. Air will flow around your finger,
extinguish the candle from both sides, and prevent hot
wax from splattering.
-
Install
a smoke detector
in every room where candles are burned.
Don't get a
sense of false security because you bought jar candles. The
U.S. Consumer Product Safety commissioner has issued a
number of recalls of candles and candle-related products.
The flames on some candles could shoot up seven inches or
more and in some cases, candle holders or containers can
overheat, shatter or catch on fire. An estimated 3% of
candle fires started when their holders, usually glass,
broke.
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