Kindle the flame with your valentine, not your house!

QUINCY, Massachusetts – As Valentine’s Day approaches, the National Fire Protection Association encourages everyone to keep in mind candle safety tips to avoid a not so lovely evening.

“Though candles add ambience, they can also result in an unplanned visit from your local fire department,” says Lorraine Carli, vice president of Outreach and Advocacy for NFPA.

According to NFPA research, between 2013 and 2017, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 7,900 home structure fires that were started by candles per year. These fires caused an annual average of 80 civilian fire deaths and 720...