With the holiday season fast approaching, local fire officials are reminding residents about the danger of using candles around their homes.
The Prince George's County Fire Department says candles and incense cause 42 fires every day across the country. That number goes up around the holidays, with December being the peak month for home candle fires.
The Prince George's County Fire Department says the following tips will help keep you and your family safe:
- Consider using battery-operated flameless candles.
- Keep candles and incense in sturdy metal, glass or ceramic holders. Make sure they cannot be easily knocked down.
- Avoid using candles/incense in bedrooms and sleeping areas.
- Extinguish candles after use and before going to bed.
- Keep candles at least 12 inches from anything that can burn.
- Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets.
- Set a good example by using matches, lighters and fire carefully.
- Children should never be allowed to play with matches, lighters or candles.
- Never use a candle where medical oxygen is being used. The two can combine to create a large, unexpected fire.
- Always use a flashlight – not a candle – for emergency lighting.
- Never put candles on a Christmas tree.
- Don't place lit candles in windows, where blinds and curtains can close over them.
- Never leave burning candles and incense unattended.
- Have 10-year smoke and CO alarms installed on every level of your home, in hallways just outside of bedrooms and in every bedroom.
