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NEWPORT — This Valentine’s Day, the National Fire Protection Association is advising to use candles with caution and closely monitor cooking food.
“If you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day at home this year, your plans likely include a special meal and candles,” Lorraine Carli, vice president of Outreach and Advocacy at NFPA, said in a press release. “Our goal is to help ensure that everyone enjoys the holiday with fire safety in mind.”
Candles are one of the leading causes of home fires, according to NFPA.
Half of all candle fires started when a flammable object, such as furniture, bedding, curtains, home décor or clothing, was too close to a lit candle, according to NFPA data. The candle was either left unattended, discarded or otherwise misused in over one-fifth — 21% — of home candle fires. And more than onethird of candle fires — 36% — started in the bedroom.
NFPA recommends using battery- operated flameless candles, which provide a “similar look and feel” to real candles while eliminating the risk of fire, according to the press release.
When using real candles, NFPA recommends doing so with caution and supervision while following these candle safety tips: * Do not use lit candles in bedrooms, bathrooms and sleeping areas.
* Use stable candle holders and place candles where they cannot be easily knocked over.
* Keep candles at least 1 foot away from flammable objects.
* Keep hair and loose clothing away from the flame.
* Do not burn a candle all the way down; put it out before it gets too close to the holder or container.
* Store matches and lighters up high, out of children’s reach, preferably in a locked cabinet.
* Never leave a burning candle unattended.
* Blow out candles when you leave the room or go to bed.
Cooking is the leading cause of reported home fires and home fire injuries year-round, according to NFPA. Unattended cooking is a factor in over one-fourth — 29% — of reported home cooking fires and half of the associated fires.
NFPA has the following cooking safety tips: * Stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling or broiling food.
* Have a child- and pet-free zone of at least 3 feet or 1 meter around the stove.
* Keep a lid nearby when cooking; if a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner.
* Set a timer to remind the cook that they are cooking.
NFPA also encourages the public ensures they have working smoke alarms and develop and practice a home escape plan.
For more information about cooking and candle safety, visit NFPA’s cooking and candle safety pages on its website at www.nfpa.org.
