DAVID HO
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The number of people killed by house fires started by candles has skyrocketed over the past two decades, government safety officials said Thursday.
Deaths from all residential fires fell from 4,500 in 1980 to 2,660 in 1998, but candle-related fire deaths rose from 20 to 170, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said in a report. In most cases, unattended candles caused those fatal fires.
``Candles are no longer used for the occasional dinner party. In fact, only a small percent of candle fires start in dining rooms,'' commission Chairwoman Ann Brown said. ``Candle sales are booming and families are lighting candles in their living rooms, family rooms, dens and bathrooms.''
J.C. Edmond, a spokesman for the National Candle Association, said candles are as safe as they have always been, but candle use has increased nearly fivefold in the last 10 years. He said candle retailers will sell an estimated $2.3 billion in candles this year.
The agency's report found that the number of house fires dropped from 655,000 in 1980 to 332,300 in 1998, while house fires caused by candles increased from 8,500 to 12,900.
Nearly half of candle fires start in bedrooms with mattresses or other bedding the most likely items to go up in flames, the commission said, noting that children playing with or near candles is a frequent cause of candle fires.
In 1998, the last year for which figures were available, candle fires accounted for 6 percent of fire deaths, the report said. Cigarettes started 30 percent of fatal fires.
The report does not include fires suspected of being caused by arson.
To explain the overall decline, the agency cited new safety standards for clothing, furniture and child resistant cigarette lighters.
To reduce the chance of home fires, particularly those involving candles, the government advises consumers to:
- Keep matches, lighters and candles away from children.
- Never leave burning candles unattended.
- Keep combustible materials away from candles.
- Don't put candles in a location where children or pets could knock them down.
- Use only nonflammable candle holders and always trim the wicks before lighting.
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