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Underwriters Laboratories and the National Fire Protection Association Advise Using Caution With Candles

Operation Decoration 2004NORTHBROOK, Ill., - Dec. 1, 2004 - At this time of year, candles prominently decorate homes where the holidays such as Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa are celebrated. But also during this season unattended or misused candles are prominent among the causes of home fires.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recently released estimates showing that during 2001 candles caused 18,000 home fires, 190 deaths, 1,450 injuries and $265 million in property damage. This shows a 15-percent increase in candle-related home fires from 2000 and is triple the number of fires from 1990.

"Candle-related fires occur year-round, but December has almost twice the number of candle fires as an average month," says John Drengenberg, manager of Consumer Affairs for Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL), the not-for-profit product safety testing organization.

"And, NFPA figures show that one of every three candle fires occurred after candles were left unattended or inadequately controlled, and one in four fires occurred when a combustible material, such as curtains or a pillow, came too close to the candle."

To keep homes safe during these holidays and throughout the year, UL and the NFPA urge consumers to follow these basic fire prevention tips when decorating with candles:

  • Keep a careful eye on candles. Extinguish candles when leaving the room or going to sleep.
  • Keep candles away from decorations, curtains, bedding, paper, walls, furniture and other combustible materials.
  • Place candles away from spots where they could be knocked over by a person or pet.
  • Use sturdy, non-combustible candleholders that can collect dripping wax and won't tip over.
  • Extinguish a candle when 2 inches of wax remains or 1/2 inch if the candle is in a container. This prevents heat damage to the surface and stops glass containers from breaking.
  • Don't leave children unattended in a room with lit candles.
  • Always keep candles, as well as matches and lighters, out of the reach of children.
  • Never use lit candles to decorate Christmas trees.

About Underwriters Laboratories

Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) is an independent, not-for-profit product safety certification organization that has been testing products for more than 110 years. UL tests more than 18,850 types of products annually, and more than 19 billion UL Marks appear on products each year. Worldwide, UL's family of companies and its network of service providers include 60 laboratories, and testing and certification facilities.

About the National Fire Protection Association

The National Fire Protection Association has been a worldwide leader in providing fire, electrical, and life safety to the public since 1896. The mission of the international nonprofit organization is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by developing and advocating scientifically based consensus codes and standards, research, training and education.

Press Contacts:

For additional information on these and other safety tips, or to schedule an interview, please contact one of the following representatives:
Joanne Beardslee, UL/Rhea & Kaiser, +1-630-955-6618, joanne_beardslee@rkconnect.com
Stewart Reeve, UL/Rhea & Kaiser, +1-636-928-0920, stewart_reeve@rkconnect.com
Margie Coloian, NFPA, +1-617-984-7275 or mcoloian@nfpa.org

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