Fire department, NFPA asks families to 'use candles with care' Published Dec. 5, 2006 By Eric Smith Vance Fire Department Vance Air Force Base, Okla. -- Fire Prevention Week runs Sunday through Oct. 15 and this year's theme is "Use Candles with Care." The Vance Fire Department joins the National Fire Protection Agency in highlighting candle safety. Candles may be pretty to look at or can give off a nice fragrance, but they can also be very dangerous. Candles are a growing cause of home fires and deaths. Recent figures show candles were responsible for an estimated 18,000 home fires and nearly 200 deaths annually. With help we can reduce these statistics. Remember, a candle is an open flame, meaning it can easily ignite any combustible material nearby. Because candle fires spread so rapidly, it is essential families have working smoke detectors in their home and a home fire escape plan. The following Vance Fire Department and NFPA tips help ensure families use candles safely. n Extinguish all candles when leaving the room or going to sleep n Keep candles away from items that can catch fire (clothing, books, paper, curtains, Christmas trees, flammable decorations and more) n Use candle holders that are sturdy, won't tip over easily, are made from a material that can't burn and are large enough to collect dripping wax n Don't place lit candles in windows, where blinds and curtains can close over them n Place candle holders on a sturdy, uncluttered surface and do not use candles in places where they could be knocked over by children or pets n Keep candles and all open flames away from flammable liquids