State Fire Marshall: Most candle fires occur on Dec. 24

On the night before Christmas, all though the house, candles are the cause of more fires than on any other day of the year.That’s why the state fire marshal’s office is trying to raise awareness of candle safety, especially during the holiday season.Although most candle-related fires occur Christmas Eve, Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan joined with the state Legislature in designating today as Candle Safety Awareness Day.In 2000, a candle that was left unattended caused a four-alarm fire in a multi-family house in Belmont. Despite the smoke a fifth-grader went to the upper floors to alert others in the building of danger, said Jennifer Mieth, a spokeswoman for the fire marshal’s office. “He helped his grandmother to safety by leading her downstairs using the second way out. Arriving firefighters noticed the boy in his stocking feet in the freezing cold attending to his grandmother outside of their home,” she said.According to Coan, in 2008 there were 155 candle fires reported to the Massachusetts Fire Incident Reporting System. These fires resulted in 14 civilian injuries, 10 fire service injuries, and more than $6.3 million in property losses.During the years 1999-2008, more than 2,200 candle related fire incidents occurred. Nearly 90 percent were in homes and more than 41 percent started in the bedroom. Smoke detectors operated in nearly 60 percent of candle fires in homes.”There have been many recent fires started after a candle was left burning unattended on a bedside table or a window shelf. I can’t stress enough n when you leave the room, blow the candle out,” said Coan. “Many of the holidays celebrated at this time of year use candles. Unfortunately, with increased candle use at this time of year we also see a jump in candle fires.”Coan noted fire education efforts have shown results and there has been a downward trend in candle fires since 2000.Mieth attributed the decline to the efforts of public fire safety officials who recognize the problem and work with the candle manufacturers to promote the safe use of candles.Coan urged residents to keep candles away from holiday decorations and recommended using candles within a “circle of safety” in order to reduce the risk of fire.Five components complete the safety circle: Burn candles within a one-foot circle, free of anything that can burn; never leave candles burning unattended; always extinguish candles after use; use a non-combustible saucer or candleholder; and keep candles out of reach of children and pets.For additional information on candle safety, visit www.mass.gov/dfs or contact the Fire Data and Public Education Unit at 978-567-3380.