Use caution when burning candles

Police and firefighters are bracing for a surge in house fires this winter as people use candles for light during power outages.

Severe winter weather tears down power lines and plunges millions of people into darkness. When people use candles for light they're igniting a leading cause of home fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association, which said people were using candles for light in more than 30 percent of all fatal candle fires, and 75 percent of all catastrophic fires where five or more people died.

"The risk of a fatal candle fire appears higher when candles are used for light," said NFPA officials.

The rate of candle fires doubles in December and January, with 40 percent of all candle fires happening in the winter. Candle fires killed 350 people and injured nearly 3,000 people in 2004 and 2005.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security notes there are 23,600 candle fires each year -- one every 34 minutes.

"There's almost no reason in the world for people to use candles during a power outage.

"People are under stress, it could be storming, there could be a host of issues taking your mind away from the candle -- and unattended candles cause fires," said Deputy Fire Chief Mike Mercandante, a safe light specialist in Massachusetts.

Candle fires typically break out when people forget about them or simply fall asleep. The open flame of a candle poses a serious risk of fire. People must use "common sense and caution," according to the Department of Homeland Security.

"Candles can cause serious safety hazards. Candle fires tripled in the U.S. between 1990 and 2002 and the result can be tragic. The widespread popularity of candles means candle fires, too many of them," according to Consumer Reports.