What Is The Warning About Candles?

The purpose of this article is to provide important safety information about the risks associated with burning candles. Candles can seem harmless, but they are actually a leading cause of home fires. This article will cover key points such as proper candle placement, supervision when burning, risks to children and pets, different candle types, smoke and soot dangers, alternatives to candles, and how to extinguish candles safely.

Fire Risk

Candles can easily start fires if not used properly. The open flame of a candle can quickly ignite nearby combustible materials like curtains, rugs, furniture, clothing, etc (NFPA). According to the U.S. Fire Administration, around 23,600 residential fires are started by candles every year, resulting in 1,525 injuries, 165 deaths, and $390 million in property damage (USFA). Leaving burning candles unattended is a major fire hazard, as the flame can spread in seconds if it comes into contact with flammable materials. It’s crucial to never leave the room or go to sleep while a candle is still burning.

Placement

Proper placement of candles is crucial for fire safety. Candles should never be placed near anything flammable or in high-traffic areas where they can be accidentally knocked over. According to Candles.org, candles should be placed at least three inches apart from one another and away from drafts to prevent melting or blowing over.

Candles should not be placed on cabinets, shelves, TVs or near curtains where the flames can ignite these materials. They should also be kept off of tablecloths and doilies. The Nationwide Blog recommends keeping candles on a sturdy base or candle holder. Avoid placing candles in locations where they could be accidentally knocked over by children or pets.

In summary, candles should be placed at a safe distance from flammable objects, out of drafts, and where they cannot be tipped over accidentally. Proper candle holders on sturdy, nonflammable surfaces are ideal.

Supervision

It is crucial to never leave a burning candle unattended. Candles should always be watched closely to prevent fires or accidents. According to the FDNY, unattended candles are a major cause of preventable fires that can lead to tragic deaths. Leaving a candle burning while you sleep or go out creates an extremely dangerous fire hazard.

Always stay in the same room with a lit candle and keep it in your sight. Do not rely on self-extinguishing candles that claim to go out on their own after a period of time. It is best practice to actively extinguish any candle before leaving the room even for a short period.

Make sure to fully extinguish candle flames before going to bed or leaving your home. Use a candle snuffer or wet your fingers and pinch the wick to ensure no embers remain. Double check that smoke is no longer rising from the wick. Never leave a burning candle or extinguished wick unattended.

Pets and Children

It’s critical to keep burning candles away from pets and children. Young kids and animals are extremely curious and may knock over candles if they are left unattended, leading to potential fires or injuries.

According to the Candle safety for children and pets article, candles should always be placed out of reach of kids and pets, at least 12 inches from anything flammable, and blown out when you leave a room.

Pets like cats and dogs can easily knock over candles with their tails. Children may try to touch the flames and get burned. It’s best to keep pets confined in a different room and never let young children be near burning candles unsupervised.

Make sure you educate children about the dangers of open flames. Store candles properly when not in use. Consider using flameless candles instead around kids and pets.

Candle Type

Different candle types carry different fire risks. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) at https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/home-fire-safety/candles, taper candles in candleholders cause twice as many home fires as pillar candles or votive/container candles. Taper candles are tall, skinny candles that fit into candle holders. The flame is exposed and the candle is designed to liquify and drip wax as it burns. This makes taper candles more prone to tipping over, splashing wax, or catching things on fire if placed too close to combustible materials. Pillar candles are thicker and wider, making them more stable, and the wax pool is deeper, reducing splashing. Votive or container candles have the flame enclosed inside glass, so there is less risk of other items catching fire.

According to the National Candle Association at https://candles.org/fire-safety-candles/, another factor is the size of the candle. Large pillar candles or tapers burn longer, meaning they require more constant monitoring. The larger the candle and longer it burns, the higher the fire risk if left unattended. Smaller votive or container candles burn for less time and pose less of a hazard.

In summary, taper candles in regular holders have the highest fire risk, followed by large pillar candles. Small votive or container candles have the least risk due to their stability and enclosed design.

Smoke and Soot

Burning candles produces smoke and soot that can be harmful to health if inhaled, especially for people with respiratory conditions like asthma. Soot contains tiny particles that can irritate lungs, and smoke contains volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene and toluene that are known carcinogens (Cleveland Clinic).

A study found scented candle emissions contain many chemicals that exceed recommended exposure limits, and burning multiple candles daily substantially increases indoor air concentrations (Al Khathlan et al.). To minimize health risks, burn candles in well-ventilated areas and avoid burning many candles at once in an enclosed space.

Alternatives

There are many safer alternatives to traditional candles that can provide ambiance and fragrance without an open flame. Some good options include:

LED candles are flameless electric candles that look and feel like the real thing. They come in many styles from taper and pillar candles to floating candles and can be operated by battery or USB. LED candles create the same flicker and glow effects of real candles without any fire risk. Some even have timers to automatically turn off after a set number of hours (apartmenttherapy.com).

Essential oil diffusers dispersed fragrance by heating or nebulizing essential oils and aromatic compounds. Diffusers come in many styles from simple wick or fan diffusers to ultrasonic, evaporative, or nebulizing diffusers that create fine, fragranced mist. Most models include auto shut-off for safety (blog.lafco.com).

Reed diffusers provide subtle room fragrance through reeds inserted into scented oils. The reeds wick up the oil and allow its aroma to fill the room. Reed diffusers are very simple to use, no flame, electricity or heat needed (loreperfumery.com.au).

Extinguishing

When extinguishing a candle flame, it’s important to put it out properly to avoid potential fire hazards. The best way to extinguish a candle is to use a candle snuffer or wick dipper according to experts. A wick dipper has a long handle which allows you to quickly press the wick down into the wax without burning yourself.

You can also use a small spoon or pinch the wick with your fingers. However, blowing out a candle is not recommended as it can send sparks and embers flying, increasing fire risk. The safest method is to deprive the flame of oxygen by submerging or smothering the wick.

After extinguishing the candle, avoid leaving the wick exposed as it can still reignite. It’s best to trim the wick or ensure it is fully immersed in wax. Allow the wax to fully harden before relighting the candle. With proper extinguishing methods, you can safely enjoy candles without worrying about accidental fires.

As experts at WikiHow note, “In one rapid motion, grasp the wick between your two fingers. The moisture should cause the flame to die as oxygen is cut off.” A wick dipper is an even safer option according to Fernweh Editions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while candles can provide a pleasant ambiance and aroma, they must be used with caution to avoid the risks of fire, smoke inhalation and wax burns. It’s critical to place candles on stable, nonflammable surfaces away from flammable materials, pets and children. Never leave candles unattended or sleep in a room with burning candles. Use candleholders that collect dripping wax and extinguish candles before leaving a room. Avoid drafts and always keep a fire extinguisher handy. With proper precautions, the enjoyment of candles can be balanced with fire safety.