{"id":1872,"date":"2024-09-23T22:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-23T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.southernharvestinsurance.com\/blog\/?p=1872"},"modified":"2025-08-13T01:39:04","modified_gmt":"2025-08-13T01:39:04","slug":"how-dangerous-are-candles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.southernharvestinsurance.com\/blog\/homeowners-insurance\/how-dangerous-are-candles\/","title":{"rendered":"Protecting Your Home From Fire: How Dangerous Are Candles?\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"c-section\">\n    <div class=\"c-article\">\n        <div class=\"o-wrapper o-wrapper--small\">\n                                                            <picture class=\"c-article__pic\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-article__img\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.southernharvestinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/southern-harvest-protecting-your-home-from-fire-how-dangerous-are-candles-1.jpg\" alt=\"Woman smelling a scented candle in her home - Southern Harvest Cheap homeowners in Georgia.\" width=\"320\" height=\"160\">\n                <\/picture>\n                                        <div class=\"c-article__content\">\n                <div class=\"s-cms-content\">\n                    <p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Who doesn\u2019t love a holiday? Many of these special times, including Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, and Halloween, practically require the flickering light of candles in the homes of many Georgia families. Candles also set the scene for romantic evenings at home, make after-dark times fun for the kids, and even get used as emergency lighting when the power goes out.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>With that in mind, it might be appropriate in your family setting to always have a drawer full of festive candles and lighters. Just make sure your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.southernharvestinsurance.com\/home-insurance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">homeowners insurance<\/a> is paid up. Take candle fire safety seriously, because as festive, dramatic, or playful as they can be, there\u2019s also home fire risk.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s a closer look at candle safety and the larger issue of fire and home insurance.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Hidden Dangers of Open-Flame Candles<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>You were warned to stay away from lit flames as a kid, whether it was Fourth of July fireworks, a summer evening marshmallow-roasting fire, or even an innocent holiday candle display. Your folks were right. Open flames really can be dangerous \u2014 even from a single innocent candle.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} --><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Shocking Statistics on Home Candle Fires<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Are candles a fire hazard? Really? Check out a few compelling <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nfpa.org\/education-and-research\/home-fire-safety\/candles\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">facts and statistics compiled by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)<\/a> on home fires caused by candle safety failure over a recent five-year period:<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --><\/p>\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item --><\/p>\n<li>Over this period, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 5,910 structural fires started by candles annually.<\/li>\n<p><!-- \/wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --><\/p>\n<li>Those fires caused about $257 million in damages annually.<\/li>\n<p><!-- \/wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --><\/p>\n<li>The rate of injuries from home structure candle fires was nearly three times higher than for home fires from other causes.<\/li>\n<p><!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/ul>\n<p><!-- \/wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} --><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Common Scenarios Leading to Candle-Related Disasters<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>The same report from the NFPA also revealed that more than one-third of all home fires caused by candles started in a bedroom. Similar to falling asleep with a lit cigarette, people may doze off with candles still lit.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>In other cases, \u201cused\u201d candles with hot wicks were tossed. In other instances, candles were positioned too close to flammable materials such as drapes, Christmas trees, wreaths, or other objects.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Dwelling fires also commonly occurred when candles were ignored or forgotten. House fire victims left the room or even went to bed with candles still burning.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s not only your family at risk. Unsafe candle practices can even affect others outside of your home. Although your home insurance will most like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.southernharvestinsurance.com\/blog\/homeowners-insurance\/does-georgia-homeowners-insurance-cover-damage-to-your-neighbors-property\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">cover damage to your neighbors\u2019 properties<\/a> when you\u2019re at fault, nobody wants to have that conversation.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Fire Safety Practices for Candle Usage<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Candles are such low-tech objects, and they seem harmless. How dangerous can they be? That attitude can make Georgia residents negligent when it comes to fire safety. Get to know candle safety tips and keep your home and family safe.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} --><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Choosing the Right Candles for Safety and Aesthetics<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>A heavy decorative candle with a thick base is sturdier and might sit with less wobble than a thinner, lightweight candle. But the most fire-safe candles aren\u2019t candles at all.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Battery-operated or plug-in electric or LED candles stay cool to the touch, though some even flicker like real flames. It doesn\u2019t matter if they tip over or get placed near flammable objects. They set the scene without the fire risk of the real deal.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1876 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.southernharvestinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/southern-harvest-protecting-your-home-from-fire-how-dangerous-are-candles-2.jpg\" alt=\"LED candles for home safety\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.southernharvestinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/southern-harvest-protecting-your-home-from-fire-how-dangerous-are-candles-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.southernharvestinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/southern-harvest-protecting-your-home-from-fire-how-dangerous-are-candles-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.southernharvestinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/southern-harvest-protecting-your-home-from-fire-how-dangerous-are-candles-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.southernharvestinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/southern-harvest-protecting-your-home-from-fire-how-dangerous-are-candles-2-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.southernharvestinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/southern-harvest-protecting-your-home-from-fire-how-dangerous-are-candles-2-960x640.jpg 960w, https:\/\/www.southernharvestinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/southern-harvest-protecting-your-home-from-fire-how-dangerous-are-candles-2-244x163.jpg 244w, https:\/\/www.southernharvestinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/southern-harvest-protecting-your-home-from-fire-how-dangerous-are-candles-2-285x190.jpg 285w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} --><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Role of Candle Holders in Fire Safety<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Always make sure your candle fits securely in its holder. The best fit is when the candle and the holder have been bought together as one unit. Often, when the fit isn\u2019t right, you know it. The candle looks wobbly, it leans over, or even falls a few times before you use more pressure to make it stick, light it and hope for the best. Don\u2019t ever walk away and leave a candle in a holder that\u2019s not really holding it.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} --><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Ideal Locations and Surfaces for Candle Placement<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Avoid putting a lit candle on a wrinkly tablecloth, doily, or other surface that could turn it tipsy. A hard, flat surface, such as a tabletop, is the best place to set your candle, always while using a secure candleholder or fireproof tray wide enough to hold dripping hot wax.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Look hard at where you\u2019re putting candles, too. Place them a good 12 inches away from other objects, especially such flammable materials as a dry holiday tree or curtains.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Keep an eye on your kids, too. They might be attracted to the flame, but they need to keep their distance \u2014 especially if they\u2019re wearing Halloween costumes or other attire that might easily catch a flame.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Preventive Fire Protection Strategies<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Smoke alarms are critical. Homes should have at least one alarm on every floor and one in every bedroom. Interconnected alarms are the best choice, whereby one alarm going off triggers every alarm. This improves the odds that the alerts will be heard even in the middle of the night.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>The safest choice is the kind of alarm that\u2019s hardwired into the home\u2019s electrical system, with battery backup in case the power is lost.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Smart cameras can also serve as an effective fire safety and candle safety device. Smart security cameras can be placed around the interior of a home as well as the exterior, alerting homeowners to candles left lit \u2014 by just a glance at their smartphone app from wherever they are.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Role of Home Insurance in Fire Safety<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>The fewer insurance claims you make, the less you\u2019ll pay for your coverage. That\u2019s true of all insurance policies, and it certainly pertains to the subject of fire and homeowners insurance. Ask your insurance agent if you can get a discount on your premiums by showing proof of such home protection devices as working smoke alarms and security cameras.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>If the worst happens and you need to temporarily relocate while your home is being repaired after a fire, receiving a payback for any expenses you rack up while renting a place is a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.southernharvestinsurance.com\/blog\/homeowners-insurance\/lesser-known-benefits-of-home-insurance-in-georgia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">lesser-known benefits of homeowners insurance<\/a> for Georgia residents.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Also, make sure that your level of coverage is high enough to offer an adequate payout on your possessions if you were to sustain fire or smoke damage.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"c-section c-more-options\">\n    <div class=\"o-wrapper o-wrapper--small\">\n        <h2 class=\"c-more-options__title\">How to Simplify Fire Insurance\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n        <div class=\"c-more-options__content\">\n            <div class=\"s-cms-content\">\n                <p>A good homeowners insurance company is dependable protection against natural calamities, theft, vandalism, and just about anything else that can cause harm to your home and pocketbook.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Your Southern Harvest homeowners insurance agent is an independent insurance agent. Independent agents don\u2019t represent the policies of just one company. Instead, they have contractual relationships with multiple major brands. That means they\u2019ll ask you questions about your Peach State home, coverage needs, and budgetary considerations \u2014 then go shopping for the homeowners insurance policy that best fits your home, family, and wallet.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Your Southern Harvest agent will also help you <a href=\"https:\/\/www.southernharvestinsurance.com\/blog\/homeowners-insurance\/home-insurance-mistakes-in-georgia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">avoid making the seven home insurance mistakes<\/a> that make you pay too much for home insurance in Georgia. So, talk with a knowledgeable independent homeowners insurance agent at Southern Harvest Insurance.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Call us at <a href=\"tel:8778314677\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">(877) 831-4677<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.southernharvestinsurance.com\/home-insurance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">get a quick quote online<\/a>, or drop in at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.southernharvestinsurance.com\/locations\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a Southern Harvest Insurance office<\/a> conveniently near your Georgia home.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n                            <ul class=\"o-list-bare c-more-options__list\">\n                                                        <li class=\"o-list-bare__item c-more-options__item\">\n                        <a class=\"c-more-options__link c-more-options__link--green\" href=\"https:\/\/www.southernharvestinsurance.com\/homeowners-insurance-quote-form\/\">\n                            <span class=\"o-icon c-more-options__icon\"><svg focusable=\"false\" role=\"img\"><use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/www.southernharvestinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/southern\/assets\/html\/images\/icons\/icons.svg#icon-quote\"><\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n                            <div class=\"c-more-options__link-text\">Get a Quote<\/div>\n                        <\/a>\n                    <\/li>\n                                                        <li class=\"o-list-bare__item c-more-options__item\">\n                        <a class=\"c-more-options__link c-more-options__link--brown\" href=\"tel:8778314677\">\n                            <span class=\"o-icon c-more-options__icon\"><svg focusable=\"false\" role=\"img\"><use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/www.southernharvestinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/southern\/assets\/html\/images\/icons\/icons.svg#icon-phone-linear\"><\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n                            <div class=\"c-more-options__link-text\">Call Us<\/div>\n                        <\/a>\n                    <\/li>\n                                                        <li class=\"o-list-bare__item c-more-options__item\">\n                        <a class=\"c-more-options__link c-more-options__link--dark-blue\" href=\"https:\/\/www.southernharvestinsurance.com\/locations\">\n                            <span class=\"o-icon c-more-options__icon\"><svg focusable=\"false\" role=\"img\"><use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/www.southernharvestinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/southern\/assets\/html\/images\/icons\/icons.svg#icon-location-linear\"><\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n                            <div class=\"c-more-options__link-text\">Find Your Office<\/div>\n                        <\/a>\n                    <\/li>\n                                <\/ul>\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1877,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.southernharvestinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1872"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.southernharvestinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.southernharvestinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.southernharvestinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.southernharvestinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1872"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.southernharvestinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1872\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1880,"href":"https:\/\/www.southernharvestinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1872\/revisions\/1880"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.southernharvestinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1877"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.southernharvestinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1872"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.southernharvestinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1872"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.southernharvestinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1872"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}