Candle Fires: 5 Effective Safety Tips to Prevent Fire Damage

3/27/2023 (Permalink)

Contact the team that is always available after candle fires cause destruction.

The professionals at SERVPRO of Athens have seen firsthand the devastating effects candle fires can have on your home or business.

Throughout the year, the professionals at SERVPRO receive numerous calls regarding property damage due to candle fires. For example, last winter, we received an emergency fire damage call after a candle fire caused extensive smoke damage to a home.

Candle fires often result in severe property damage. In the following blog post, we have included five tips to help prevent candle fires and minimize the risk of property damage.

Before we begin: if a candle fire has recently damaged your property, don't hesitate to contact the professionals at SERVPRO of Athens immediately. We are available 24/7 to help get your home back in pre-damaged condition. Read on for more information about candle fire prevention!

What are the common causes of candle fires?

Although candle fires are common and a variety of factors contribute to them, careless candle use is the most common cause of candle fires. Because of this, candle users need to take proper safety precautions when burning and extinguishing candle flames. 

Some of the more commonly seen causes of candle fires due to careless candle use include:

• Leaving a candle unattended
• Burning multiple candles too close together
• Placing a candle in an area with flammable materials
• Failing to extinguish a candle flame completely.

SERVPRO's 5 candle fire safety tips

Now that you know the common causes of candle fires, let's look at how to protect your property against candle fire-related damage.

Tip 1: Keep candles away from flammable materials

When burning candles, keep them away from flammable items such as curtains, furniture, and clothing. Additionally, always place candles on a heat-resistant surface.

Tip 2: Trim candle wicks

Always make sure to trim candle wicks before burning. Long candle wicks can cause candle flames to become too large, increasing the risk of candle fire-related property damage.

Tip 3: Extinguish the candle when not in use

When leaving a candle unattended, always make sure to extinguish the candle flame. Never leave candle flames burning overnight or when you are away from your property for an extended period.

Tip 4: Don't burn multiple candles too close together

When burning multiple candles, keep them at least six inches apart. Burning numerous candles too close together can lead to candle fire-related property damage.

Tip 5: Do not use liquid accelerants to start candle fires

Never use flammable liquids, such as gasoline or alcohol, to start candle fires. This practice is hazardous and can result in candle fire-related property damage.

Steps to follow after a candle fire causes destruction

After a candle fire has caused damage to your property, it is essential to take the proper steps for candle fire cleanup and restoration.

Step 1: Contact your insurance company

You must contact your insurance company immediately after a candle fire has damaged your property. Your insurance company will be able to guide you through how to file a claim and what type of candle fire cleanup and restoration is necessary.

Step 2: Contact a fire restoration company

Once you've gotten in touch with your insurance company, contacting a fire restoration company as quickly as possible is essential. The company you hire should be available 24/7 to help get your property back to its pre-damaged condition in no time.

Step 3: Document the damages

Document the damage with photos and videos once the candle fire has been extinguished and cleanup efforts have begun. Documentation is essential not only for insurance claims but also for fire restoration companies which can better assess the extent of damage when provided with visual documentation.

The professionals at SERVPRO of Athens can handle any fire damage

When candle fire-related property damage occurs, the team at SERVPRO of Athens is prepared to help get your property back to its pre-damaged condition. Our technicians have the experience and knowledge necessary to combat candle fire damage.

We understand that candle fires can be a stressful and overwhelming experience for homeowners and business owners alike, so we're committed to providing the highest level of service and restoring your property quickly and efficiently.

No matter the extent of candle fire-related property damage, you can trust SERVPRO of Athens to restore your home or business to its pre-damaged condition. We are available 24/7 to help get your property back on track.

Contact us today to learn more about our fire damage cleanup and restoration services. With our help, you can regain peace of mind knowing that SERVPRO of Athens is here to restore your property.