Candle fires

Report: "Candle Fires” 
Author: Marty Ahrens
Issued: May 2020

Report & tables

Home Candle Fires

Overall, candles caused 2 percent of the reported home fires, 3 percent of the home fire deaths, 6 percent of the home fire injuries, and 4 percent of the direct property damage in reported home fires during 2014-2018.

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Tables

These tables support the Home Candle Fires report.

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Report highlights

Based on 2014-2018 annual averages:

• US fire departments responded to an average of 7,610 homestructure fires that were started by candles per year. These fires caused an annual average of 81 civilian fire deaths, 677 civilian fire injuries, and $278 million in direct property damage.
• On average, 21 home candle fires were reported per day.
• December was the peak month for candle fires, followed closely by January.
• Two of every five (40%) candle fire deaths occurred in the bedroom.

• Three of every five (60 percent) candle fires started when something that could burn—such as furniture, mattresses, bedding, curtains, or decorations—was too close to the candle. In 16 percent of the fires, the candles were unattended or abandoned.