Is It Bad To Sleep In A Closed Room With A Candle?

Dangers of sleeping with a candle burning

Falling asleep with a lit candle in an enclosed space like a bedroom poses several health and safety risks that should not be ignored. The three most concerning dangers are the risk of fire, carbon monoxide poisoning, and indoor air pollution.

Candles utilize an open flame, making the chance of an accidental fire starting very high if the candle tips over or catches nearby combustible materials on fire. Wax and wick materials can overheat and ignite as well. With occupants asleep, fires can spread rapidly before being detected and contained. The potential for significant property damage and injury is extremely high.

As candles burn they release carbon monoxide, an odorless and invisible gas that can be fatal in high concentrations. In an unventilated room, carbon monoxide levels can quickly rise to dangerous levels and lead to carbon monoxide poisoning for those exposed during sleep. Symptoms range from headaches and dizziness to unconsciousness and death.

The smoke released from candle wicks and melted wax contains various chemicals, particulate matter, and other pollutants that degrade indoor air quality. Exposure during sleep can irritate airways and lungs. Those with asthma or allergies are at particular risk. Poor indoor air quality from candles can also lead to other short-term and long-term health effects.

Fire Hazards

One of the biggest risks of sleeping with a lit candle is the fire hazard it poses. Candles have an open, uncontrolled flame that can easily ignite nearby objects if left unattended. Fabrics, papers, curtains and other household items are highly flammable. If placed too close to the candle, they can easily catch fire from the heat and flame.

Knocking over a lit candle is another common risk. While sleeping, it’s easy to accidentally brush against or knock over items on a nightstand or dresser. A tipped candle can ignite any nearby flammables like bedding, carpets, or furniture. The fire can then rapidly spread throughout a room and home.

Sleeping people will also be slow to notice and respond to a candle fire while asleep. Valuable escape time can be lost. The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates around 15,000 residential fires, 150 deaths, and 1,270 injuries each year in the U.S. are caused by candles.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

One of the most dangerous risks of sleeping with a burning candle is carbon monoxide poisoning. When a candle burns, it needs oxygen to burn properly. If oxygen levels get too low, incomplete combustion occurs, resulting in the release of carbon monoxide gas.

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that is impossible to detect. It binds to hemoglobin in the blood, preventing oxygen from being distributed in the body. This can lead to a variety of carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms including headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, chest pain, confusion and loss of consciousness.

Prolonged exposure can be fatal. Carbon monoxide essentially suffocates you by displacing oxygen in your blood. It is often referred to as the “silent killer” since you cannot see, taste or smell it.

The best way to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning from a candle is to never burn one in an enclosed space without proper ventilation. Make sure to open windows or use fans to provide fresh airflow. Consider investing in a carbon monoxide detector as well.

Indoor air pollution

Burning a candle releases various pollutants into the air which can be hazardous to your health. One major concern is soot, which are small particles of carbon that give off black smoke. Candles produce a significant amount of soot when burned, which can build up on surfaces or be breathed in. Inhaling soot particulates can irritate the lungs and worsen conditions like asthma.

Candles also emit particulate matter, which are microscopic particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs. Long term exposure to particulate matter from candles and other sources has been linked to increased respiratory issues and reduced lung function.

Another problematic compound released from burning candles are volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These are organic chemicals like formaldehyde, toluene, and benzene. VOCs can cause eye, nose and throat irritation in the short term. However, there are also concerns about the longer term impacts of VOC exposure such as liver, kidney and central nervous system damage.

Burning a candle without proper ventilation can allow indoor VOC levels to build up. Plus, the chemical reactions from a candle flame can generate additional irritating or harmful compounds. The smaller the space, the faster pollution levels can accumulate if you burn a candle continuously overnight. This increases the health risks, especially for vulnerable groups like children and the elderly.

Oxygen Depletion

When a candle burns, it consumes oxygen from the surrounding air. In an enclosed space like a bedroom, this can lead to dangerously low levels of oxygen. As the candle continues to burn through the night, the oxygen levels may drop low enough to pose a risk.

Most people need oxygen levels of 19.5-23.5% to function properly. Oxygen levels below 19.5% are considered unsafe and can impair brain function and cause fatigue. At very low oxygen levels, you may experience headaches, dizziness, nausea, rapid breathing, rapid heart rate, and poor coordination. In severe cases, very low oxygen can lead to loss of consciousness or even death.

The smaller the room, the greater the risk of oxygen depletion from a burning candle. A candle burning in a large, well-ventilated room likely poses little risk. But in a small, enclosed bedroom, the oxygen consumption from a candle through the night can potentially lower oxygen levels to a dangerous degree.

It’s recommended to always blow out candles before sleep and to keep bedroom doors open if burning candles in adjoining rooms. Continuously monitoring oxygen levels overnight would be ideal to check for depleted oxygen.

Sleep Quality Impacts

Sleeping with a burning candle in your room can disrupt normal sleep cycles and lead to poor quality sleep. The flickering light from a candle’s flame can interfere with sleep onset and make it more difficult to fall asleep initially. The light can also cause more frequent nighttime awakenings. Light exposure at night suppresses the release of melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep. Disrupting melatonin with light can shift the body’s natural circadian rhythms.

The smell from a burning candle can also interrupt sleep cycles. Strong scents from candles can overstimulate the brain and make it difficult to fall into deep, restorative sleep stages. Fragrances can also cause headaches or nasal congestion that disrupt sleep. Overall, the light and smell from a burning candle make it challenging to get high quality sleep.

Use of candles

Candles can be used for different purposes in the home. Three common uses are for mood lighting, aromatherapy, and emergency lighting.

Mood lighting refers to lighting used to create a relaxing or romantic ambiance. The warm glow of a candle can set the mood for a cozy dinner or romantic evening. Flickering candlelight has a soothing effect that can help people feel more relaxed.

Candles are also commonly used in aromatherapy. Scented candles or essential oil diffusers with a candle emit pleasant aromas into the air. Inhaling these lovely scents like lavender, vanilla, jasmine, etc. can evoke positive emotions and memories. The scents can promote relaxation, improve mood, and relieve stress.

Finally, candles can provide emergency lighting during power outages. Having candlelight gives just enough illumination to move safely around your home. Candles come in handy when the electricity goes out unexpectedly at night or during a storm.

Safety Tips

If you do choose to burn a candle in your bedroom, there are some safety tips to follow:

• Use large, stable containers like jars or metal tins to hold the candle. Tall, thin candles are more prone to tipping over.
• Keep the candle away from flammable materials like curtains, bedding and clothing. Allow at least 12 inches of clearance.
• Ensure adequate ventilation so fresh air can enter the room. Keep the door open or crack a window to allow airflow.
• Never leave a burning candle unattended. Extinguish it before leaving the room or going to sleep.
• Avoid using candles with scented oils or dyes which can release additional toxins when burned.
• Trim wicks to 1⁄4 inch before lighting to avoid smoking and excess soot.

With proper precautions, you can minimize the risks of keeping a candle burning in a bedroom. However, it’s always safest to extinguish it before sleeping.

Alternatives to Candles for Bedrooms

There are safer alternatives to burning candles in bedrooms at night. These provide gentle lighting or pleasant scents without the risks of open flames.

Battery-powered flameless candles are a great option. These use LED lights to simulate the visual effect of a real candle flame. Flameless candles come in many styles, from taper candles to pillar candles to lanterns. They provide a soothing glow without any fire hazard.

Nightlights are another alternative. Small LED or incandescent nightlights plug into outlets to give a dim light throughout the night. These use very little energy. Nightlights come in fun shapes for kids’ rooms or subdued designs for adults.

Essential oil diffusers are a good way to fill a room with aroma without burning candles. Diffusers distribute essential oils as a fine mist. The scent can promote relaxation or help with breathing issues. Diffusers are safer than candles since there is no open flame.

Any of these options—flameless candles, nightlights, or diffusers—allow for a pleasant ambiance at bedtime without the risks of sleeping with a burning candle in the room.

Summary

While candles can create pleasant ambience, there are significant risks to sleeping with a candle burning in an enclosed space. The biggest hazards are fire, carbon monoxide poisoning from incomplete combustion, and oxygen depletion. The smoke and fumes can also reduce sleep quality and irritate airways.

If you want to sleep with a candle, it’s essential to take safety precautions like keeping the candle away from flammable materials, ensuring adequate ventilation, using childproof holders, and blowing it out before sleep. Consider safer alternatives like battery-powered flameless candles, essential oil diffusers, or low-wattage night lights.

In general, it is not recommended to leave a candle burning unattended while sleeping, as the risks outweigh any benefits. Extinguishing the candle removes the chance of fire and air pollution, allowing for a safer, more restful sleep.