Happy Valentine's Day - 2026

Whether it's a quiet dinner for two, or dinner with the kids (& pets too), enjoy - and make it a safe Valentine's Day.

Always be careful with candles!

• Keep the open flame at least 12" away from anything that can burn
• Only use a candle on a clean and uncluttered surface
• Ensure that the candle is in a safe and secure holder where it won't tip over
• Keep the candle(s) out of reach of young children and curious pets
• Don't leave a candle unattended
• Extinguish the candle before it burns all the way down
• Extinguish the candle when you leave the area or when you go to bed
• Avoid using candles in the bedroom where you may fall asleep with a candle still burning (Nationwide, more than 1/3 of candle fires were started by candles left burning in a bedroom)
• Candles are a leading cause of fires nationally
• A better option is to use battery operated, flameless "faux candles"
• When you dispose of a candle or match, ensure that it is cool before discarding. A still smoldering match or candle in the trash could start a fire

Keep Safety in mind if you are cooking a special Valentine's dinner!

• As always, pay attention to the stove/oven/microwave when cooking
• Don't leave the cooking area (Unattended cooking is a leading cause of fires nationwide, as well as in Cambridge)
• Set the timer to remind you when the food is cooked

For a fire or other emergency, alert others and call 911 right away from a safe area!

As always, ensure that your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms are working

Go to the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) web for information about cooking and candle safety on Valentine's Day

For additional candle safety material, go to the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services website.