As the typically colder spring semester begins, fire officials urge University of Colorado at Boulder students to take extra care to avoid dangerous and costly candle fires.
"Boulder Fire responded to two fires in December involving candles in rental housing units," said Sherry Kenyon, fire safety coordinator for Boulder Fire Rescue. "Tenants were displaced, property was lost and most people did not have renter's insurance -- a very low-cost way to insure your own property."
"Home fires caused by candles have tripled in the United States over the last decade, so we hope to draw attention to life-saving tips that will help students use candles safely," said Mansour Alipour-Fard, CU-Boulder campus fire marshal. Candles and other open-flame devices are not permitted in campus buildings and residence halls.
Since 2000, 58 students in Boulder have lost their belongings and been displaced from their off-campus housing by fires, most of which were caused by improper candle use, according to Kenyon. "Most often people leave the room and forget the candle is burning or they fall asleep.
"Candles can catch anything on fire -- TVs, shelves, plastic crates, carpet -- so put candles on large non-combustible plates or bases," Kenyon said. "Make sure your smoke alarm is working -- it is your best and earliest warning of a fire --and then get out quickly. You may have only two minutes or less to escape."
For more guidelines and candle safety tips visit