7,610
home structure fires per year
U.S. fire departments responded to this annual average of candle-started home structure fires in 2014 to 2018.
Source: National Fire Protection Association, Home Candle Fires, May 2020 ↗405 Craft reference
U.S. candle fire safety statistics
Current, citable figures on candle-started home fires, injuries, seasonality, and safer use. Built for anyone writing about candles, home fragrance, or fire safety.
The quick read
The numbers worth knowing.
These figures describe reported U.S. home structure fires started by candles. They do not say that candles are inherently unsafe. They make the simple point that an open flame deserves attention, especially during busy winter gatherings.
21
reported candle fires each day
That 2014 to 2018 annual average works out to about 21 home candle fires reported per day.
Source: National Fire Protection Association, Home Candle Fires, May 2020 ↗81
civilian deaths per year
Candle-started home fires caused an annual average of 81 civilian deaths from 2014 to 2018.
Source: National Fire Protection Association, Home Candle Fires, May 2020 ↗677
civilian injuries per year
Candle-started home fires caused an annual average of 677 civilian injuries from 2014 to 2018.
Source: National Fire Protection Association, Home Candle Fires, May 2020 ↗$278M
in direct property damage per year
The same five-year period produced an annual average of $278 million in direct property damage.
Source: National Fire Protection Association, Home Candle Fires, May 2020 ↗11% + 11%
of incidents in December and January
December was the peak month for candle fires, with January close behind. Each accounted for 11% of incidents from 2014 to 2018.
Source: National Fire Protection Association, Home Candle Fires, May 2020 ↗58
average candle fires on Christmas Day
Nearly three times the daily average, Christmas Day saw an average of 58 reported candle fires in the 2014 to 2018 period.
Source: National Fire Protection Association, Home Candle Fires, May 2020 ↗Put the numbers to work
Four simple habits make a real difference.
Use the candle directions on the label first. For broad home-fire guidance, the U.S. Fire Administration recommends keeping a lit candle at least 12 inches from anything that can burn, using a stable holder, and putting it out before leaving a room or going to sleep.
- Stay with it. Blow out a candle when you leave the room or go to bed.
- Give it space. Keep lit candles at least 12 inches from anything that can burn.
- Set it securely. Use a stable holder where children, pets, or busy hands cannot knock it over.
- Choose flame-free when needed. Battery-operated candles are a useful option where an open flame is not a good fit.
Methodology and sources
How to read this page.
The candle-fire figures on this page come from the National Fire Protection Association’s Home Candle Fires report, published in May 2020 and based on 2014 to 2018 U.S. fire-department data. The prevention guidance comes from the U.S. Fire Administration’s candle fire safety guidance, accessed October 2, 2026.
We will refresh this page when a newer candle-specific national source is published. Until then, dates stay beside the figures so they can be cited accurately.
Cite this page
405 Craft. “U.S. Candle Fire Safety Statistics.” Updated October 2, 2026. https://405craft.com/candle-safety-statistics
Made for a calmer home
Choose the ritual. Keep the attention.
When you are present, a candle can make an ordinary evening feel more settled. Explore 405 Craft’s small-batch home fragrance, made in Moore, Oklahoma.