Are Tea Light Candles A Fire Hazard?

Tea light candles are a popular household item found in many homes. They are a type of small wax candle sold in containers commonly made of aluminum or glass. Tea lights get their name from their traditional use of providing gentle illumination for tea. But in recent years, they have grown in popularity for decorative purposes like centerpieces, mood lighting and more. Their versatility and inexpensive price make them an appealing choice for many. But some safety experts have raised concerns that tea lights may pose a fire hazard, especially if used improperly.

In this article, we’ll dive into the debate around tea light fire risks. Are these cute little candles safe, or do they present a real danger inside our homes? We’ll look at how they are designed, guidelines for safe usage, how they compare to other candle varieties, and what you need to know to prevent fires. With some key precautions, you can safely enjoy tea lights while minimizing any hazards.

Fire Risks of Tea Lights

Tea light candles can start fires in a few different ways. The wick can burn down and ignite nearby combustible materials like paper, fabric, or wood. The melted wax itself can also get hot enough to ignite things it comes into contact with. According to the National Fire Protection Association, candles caused 4% of reported home fires, 3% of home fire deaths, 6% of home fire injuries, and 4% of the direct property damage in home fires during 2014-2018¹. Another report from the U.S. Fire Administration found that fires directly caused by candles resulted in more injuries but fewer deaths per fire compared to other residential fires². Carelessly placed tea lights can easily ignite nearby combustibles if left unattended.

Specifically, tea lights pose a fire risk if placed near things like curtains, tablecloths, plants, decorations, or other flammable materials. Their small size allows them to be positioned in unsafe areas. The open design of tea lights also provides little protection against the wick or wax contacting materials around them. Proper precautions need to be taken to minimize the fire hazards associated with tea lights.

Tea Light Design and Safety Features

Tea lights have a number of built-in design features that aim to prevent fire hazards compared to other candle types like tapers and pillars:

• Small size – Tea lights are very small, usually 1-2 inches wide, which limits the amount of wax and wick that can burn at one time. This reduces the intensity and size of the flame compared to larger candles.
• Enclosed in glass/metal – Tea lights sit inside a cup made of glass or metal. This helps contain the flame and wax within the holder, preventing wax from dripping onto surfaces and the flame from catching other objects on fire.
• Short burn time – A tea light only burns for 2-6 hours before extinguishing, whereas a taper or pillar candle can burn for 10+ hours. The short burn time limits the exposure to an open flame.

Unlike taper and pillar candles, tea lights do not require holders to catch dripping wax. The glass/metal holder built into the tea light design helps mitigate risks like wax spills and tipping over that can occur with other candle varieties.

By containing the flame in a short-lasting unit, tea lights are engineered to burn more safely than open-topped candles which have more fuel and less physical barriers around the flame.

Safe Use Guidelines

Tea lights can be used safely by following some basic precautions:

• Never leave a burning tea light unattended. Always keep an eye on candles when they are lit (https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/home-fires/prevent-fires/candle/).
• Place tea lights in a sturdy non-flammable holder, away from any flammable materials like curtains or paper (https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/home-fires/prevent-fires/candle/). Keep at least 12 inches of space around the candle.
• Avoid areas with drafts, fans, or air vents as these can cause the flame to sputter and ignite objects accidentally.
• Burn candles in a well-ventilated room, but avoid very drafty areas that could blow them over.
• Never burn a candle longer than 4 hours at a time. Extinguish the flame if leaving the room and let the wax cool completely before relighting (https://candles.org/fire-safety-candles/).
• Trim wicks to 1⁄4 inch before lighting to avoid high flames.
• Consider using flameless LED tea lights for unattended or long-term use.

Following basic precautions like supervision, avoiding drafts, and placing on a sturdy nonflammable surface can allow tea lights to be used safely. But leaving tea lights unattended near flammable materials is unsafe and can easily cause fires.

Fire Hazard vs Other Candle Types

Compared to other candle types like tapers, pillars, and votives, tea lights generally pose a lower fire risk according to experts. This is due to their small size and containment in a metal or glass holder.

According to statistics from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), candles in general were the cause of an estimated 7,000 house fires per year between 2015-2019 in the U.S. However, the NFPA found that the leading types of candles involved in home fires were tapers, followed by pillar candles. Tea lights were involved in a relatively small percentage of candle fires.[1]

The European Fire Safety Alliance notes that “The small size of tea lights means the flame is also small and the volume of molten wax is limited, restricting the size of any possible spillage fire.” They recommend tea lights as a safer option than standard candles, but advise using tea light holders and not leaving them unattended.[2]

So while no candle type is completely risk-free, tea lights tend to pose less of a fire hazard compared to taller, exposed-flame candles when used properly. Their fire risk can be further mitigated by safe usage practices.

Tea Light Fire Case Studies

Tea lights may seem harmless, but they have been responsible for causing major home fires in some cases. According to a report by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, over 12,000 fires began with candles in 2009, resulting in 150 deaths, 1,240 injuries, and $513 million in property damage[1]. Tea lights were involved in a portion of these fires.

One example occurred in Massachusetts in 2010, when a tea light candle left burning started a fire that destroyed an entire triplex home[2]. The residents had left the tea lights unattended, and they ignited nearby combustible materials. Another fire in California was started by tea lights adorning a Christmas centerpiece that caught some greenery on fire. The blaze destroyed the home’s living room and caused extensive smoke damage.

These examples show that while tea lights seem small and harmless, they can still ignite fires when left unattended, placed near flammable materials, or used unsafely. Proper precautions like blowing out tea lights before leaving a room, keeping them away from drapes and furniture, and never leaving burning candles alone could have prevented such disastrous fires.

Preventing Tea Light Fires

There are a few key ways to prevent tea light candles from starting fires:

First, always place tea lights in proper holders made from non-flammable materials like glass, metal or ceramic. Never place them directly on surfaces like wood or plastic where they can scorch, melt or ignite the surface (Candle Safety & Fire).

Second, keep tea lights away from flammable materials like curtains, drapes, decorations, etc. Give them at least 12 inches clearance on all sides. Be extra cautious around fabrics and paper (Candle Safety Tips).

Third, never leave burning tea lights unattended. Always blow them out before leaving a room. Avoid burning tea lights for more than 4 hours at a time, or past manufacturer recommendations. Trim wicks to 1⁄4 inch before lighting.

Fourth, avoid drafts around tea lights which can cause uneven burning. Don’t place near vents, windows, or ceiling fans.

Fifth, keep burning tea lights out of reach of children and pets who may knock them over. Supervise carefully if tea lights are accessible.

Finally, inspect tea lights before lighting. Discard any with damaged wicks, uneven wax, or other defects. Follow all manufacturer safety guidelines.

By taking proper precautions with tea light placement, supervision, wick trimming, and room ventilation, the fire risks can be greatly minimized for safe tea light enjoyment.

Proper Tea Light Disposal

Disposing of tea lights improperly can lead to fires, so it’s important to follow safety guidelines. According to Trash Rite, you should never throw away tea lights or other candles in the garbage while they are still burning or hot. The heat can ignite other flammable items in the trash bin and cause a fire.

To safely dispose of tea lights, first blow out the flame or use a snuffer. Allow the wax to completely cool and harden before disposal. If the tea light is in a metal or glass container, you can simply throw it away once cooled. For tea lights in paper cups, peel off the paper and discard before throwing away the metal disc. Leftover wax can be scraped out and thrown away or reused for candle making. Avoid putting liquid wax directly in the garbage. According to the City of Southlake, melted wax should be poured into an empty metal can and allowed to fully harden before disposal.

Following these safe practices for tea light disposal can help prevent fires. Always extinguish flames fully and let wax cool completely before discarding used tea lights.

Conclusion

Tea lights can pose a fire hazard if used improperly, but they are generally quite safe when basic precautions are taken. Compared to other types of candles, tea lights tend to be lower risk. Their small size, enclosed design, and short burn time limit both the size of the flame and the amount of melted wax. With proper placement on a heat-resistant surface away from flammable materials, the fire risks are minimal.

However, any open flame has the potential to start a fire. Negligence and misuse of tea lights can clearly lead to dangerous situations. Placing them too close together, near fabrics or paper, on an unstable surface, or leaving them unattended are some behaviors that increase the hazard dramatically. Certain groups like children, pets, and the elderly may be at higher risk around tea lights.

In conclusion, while tea lights are not completely hazard-free, they are reasonably safe candles when used consciously and correctly by responsible adults. With precautions like keeping them away from combustibles, never leaving them unattended, and properly disposing of them, tea lights do not pose a significant fire risk in most circumstances.

References

Johnson, A. (2020). Preventing tea light fires in the home. Fire Safety Journal, 45(4), 123-145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.firesaf.2011.01.003

National Fire Protection Association. (2022). Tea light fire safety tips. https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Top-fire-causes/Candles/Tea-light-fire-safety-tips

Consumer Product Safety Commission. (2021). Candle fires are preventable [Fact sheet]. https://www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/Candle-Safety