CANDLE USAGE FIRES ON RISE

 Candle Usage, Fires on Rise

September 2003 (Newstream) -- The past decade has seen an increase in candle usage, with candles now flickering in seven out of ten households in America. It's easy to see why: in addition to being relatively inexpensive, candles have a way of adding atmosphere and romance, or add a spark of magic during the winter holiday season. However, experts report that home candle fires also have increased substantially during the past decade, and warn that magic moments can quickly turn tragic unless proper precautions and common sense are used from the start.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, an estimated 1,540 home candle fires were reported in 1999, resulting in an estimated 102 civilian fire deaths, 1,473 civilian fire injuries, and $278 million in direct property damage.

"People should always keep in mind that a lit candle is an open flame," says Marty Ahrens of the National Fire Protection Association. "That means that if left unattended, or used carelessly, candles have the potential for disaster. These days, many people are using candles as part of their decor, but from a practical standpoint, some home interior ideas are completely unsafe."

"MetLife Auto & Home has seen a steady increase in candle-related fires through the years," said Tim Bowen, a claim manager at MetLife Auto & Home. "Most candle fires come about as a result of simple carelessness, but the good news is that a little common sense can prevent fires from occurring and save lives."

MetLife Auto & Home offers the following tips to help consumers stay safe:

• Consider your children and pets! An adventurous toddler, a puppy's wagging tail, or a cat jumping on to the mantle can cause lots of trouble. Never use candles where they could be knocked over by children or pets. Store candles, matches, and lighters up high, out of the reach of children, and never allows teens or children to have candles in their bedroom.
• Keep things on a level playing field. Make certain candles are placed on a stable piece of furniture, in sturdy holders that won't tip over. Candles should fit in their holders securely and the holders should be made from material that won't burn.
• Keep candles away from other combustibles. Candles can easily cause many objects to ignite. Wood paneling and paperwork are obvious targets, but even a curtain in front of an open window can pose a hazard, given the right breeze.
• Avoid greenery. Greenery can catch fire and spread very quickly. Avoid using candles in floral arrangements.
• Quality counts! Fire is not the only candle-related concern. Candles can damage a house when they "burn dirty," which means that they put out smoke into the air, which will be drawn to-and stain-walls and ceilings. "It can make the room look as though it had been damaged by a fire in another room," explains Bowen. "But unlike a fire, which is sudden and unexpected, this type of situation takes place over a period of time, and wouldn't be covered under your insurance policy." Always be sure to use name brand, quality candles.

To help consumers avoid getting burned, MetLife Auto & Home offers free brochures: "Up in Smoke!" which offers tips on fire safety at home, in the car, and outdoors; and "About...Fire Safety," which is part of the popular, award-winning Life Advice® series, and contains information on candle safety as well as a number of other fire-related subjects, including how to plan an escape route, seasonal safety tips, and safety information related to heating your home. All material can be obtained for free by calling 1-800-MET-LIFE (1-800-638-5433).

MetLife Auto & Home is one of the nation's leading personal lines property and casualty insurance companies with more than 2.7 million policies in force. For more information about MetLife Auto & Home, visit MetLife's web site at www.metlife.com.

MetLife Auto & Home is a brand of Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company and its affiliates, Warwick, RI. .