Though candles are a worthy accessory to decorate bedrooms and sitting rooms, as well as providing a welcoming scent for visitors, they are often cited as one of the main causes of fires within the home. A tiny flame can quickly burn into an uncontrollable blaze in the wrong circumstances, therefore an effort should be made to understand the danger of wax candles, and the ways in which you can prevent a resulting house fire. At All Property Claims, whether it’s a leak, flood or fire claim, we will survey and assess the damage, study your insurance policy and tell you what you are entitled to, before negotiating a settlement and undertaking your restoration and repair works.
Continue reading to learn about the risks of candle fires within the home, as well as how you can prevent such an accident happening.
What Are The Risks?
There are a number of property damage and injury-related risks associated with using wax candles within the home, many of which are preventable thankfully. Many fires start when a lit candle is left unattended, either due to forgetting about it completely or neglecting to realise the dangers of an unattended candle. Fires can also occur when a flame is exposed to combustible material, such as a table cloth or napkin, accelerating the spread of it. If you are going to burn candles, do so in a well-ventilated room away from drafts, this will prevent the flame from blowing onto other surfaces.
The Statistics
The statistics surrounding house fires started by candles are particularly shocking, with The London Fire Brigade reporting that over 200 fires in the capital were started by candles in 2020. Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service maintain that candle fires result in around 350 casualties in the UK each year, with almost 40% of all fires started by candles resulting in a death or injury. With such destruction caused by candles annually, safety measures should always be considered when they are being used.
Preventing A Candle Fire
Preventative steps to protect against candle fires are simple and practical. As an alternative to conventional wax candles, it may be sensible to use battery-operated flameless LED candles, especially in a home with children or pets. LED candles pose no fire risk due to their reliance on electricity to function and produce an artificial flame. If you do decide to continue using conventional wax candles, they should be kept on a stable surface away from flammable objects like curtains and furniture, never left unattended within a room to burn freely.
Specialising in property insurance claims from beginning to end, All Property Claims provide a hassle-free service to get your insurance fire claims agreed upon. And best of all, if we carry out all building and drying work at your property, the service is completely free! For more information on our insurance claims and property damage repair service, don’t hesitate to contact us today.