Is It Safe To Leave Tea Lights Burning?
Tea lights are small wax candles contained in thin metal or plastic cups. They get their name from their original use of warming teapots, but are now popularly used to provide ambient lighting. Tea lights are inexpensive, convenient, and safe when used properly. Their small size and portability have made them a popular candle choice, with global sales estimated at $3.14 billion annually in 2020 according to the National Candle Association1.
Fire Risks
Tea lights can pose a fire hazard if left unattended or used improperly. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 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 in the U.S. from 2015-2019 NFPA.
One key fire risk with tea lights is falling asleep while they are still burning. The U.S. Fire Administration found that 12% of candle fires start when someone falls asleep with a candle still lit USFA. Tea lights have a relatively short burn time of around 4-6 hours, so it’s easy to forget about them. But leaving tea lights unattended increases the chances of accidental ignition of nearby combustible materials.
It’s critical to extinguish tea lights before leaving a room or going to sleep. The melted wax can spill over and ignite, and the flame can grow out of control. Burning unattended tea lights too close to curtains, tablecloths, holiday decorations, or other flammable materials substantially increases fire risks.
Proper Tea Light Use
It’s crucial to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when using tea lights to ensure safety. As the Safety Tips for Candles and Tealights in the Home article states, “Never leave a burning candle or tealight unattended” (Source). Tea lights can pose a fire hazard if left burning alone. Always stay in the same room and keep an eye on the candle. According to the Fire Safety & Candles article, “Never burn a candle on or near anything that can catch fire” (Source). Keep tea lights on stable, non-flammable surfaces away from curtains, books, paper, and anything else that could ignite.
It’s also crucial to extinguish tea lights when leaving a room or going to sleep. Never let tea lights burn longer than the manufacturer recommends, usually 3-4 hours. Allow candles to fully cool and solidify before relighting to prevent excessive heat buildup in the wax. Carefully follow all tea light instructions to enjoy them safely.
Alternative Safer Options
While traditional wax tea lights come with fire risks, there are safer candle alternatives to consider. LED tea lights are battery-powered and flameless, providing the ambiance of a candle without the danger of an open flame. According to Zhongxin Lighting, LED tea lights do not get hot enough to pose a fire hazard in normal use. Brands like Vont sell LED tea lights that are “totally safe” with “absolutely no fire hazards or burning risks.”
Other flameless candle options like wax melts and reed diffusers can provide a similar effect without an open flame. When choosing candle alternatives, look for products that are battery-powered or use a heated wax to release fragrance. Follow any safety guidelines provided to avoid misuse. Flameless options allow you to enjoy candlelight ambiance safely.
Location Matters
When using tea lights, it’s essential to be very thoughtful about location and placement. According to Source 1, you should never place a tea light near curtains, fabrics or anything flammable that could easily catch fire if the flame spreads. It’s also critical to keep tea lights out of reach of children and pets, as they may get burned or knock over the candles, creating a dangerous situation.
The safest locations are on stable, non-flammable surfaces away from anything that could catch fire. Many experts recommend placing tea lights in a sturdy holder or container, rather than just setting them on a table or shelf alone. This helps contain the flame and prevent it from spreading if tipped over. It’s also wise to never leave burning tea lights unattended and extinguish them before going to sleep or leaving your home.
With some simple precautions, you can safely enjoy tea lights to create ambience and lighting. But be very thoughtful about placement and never take your eyes off the candles when lit.
Troubleshooting
If a tea light tips over or catches fire, remain calm and take immediate action. According to servicemasteroflakeshore.com, there are four steps you can take to put out a candle fire quickly and safely:
- Blow out the flame if it’s still burning. Take a deep breath and blow firmly at the base of the flame.
- Smother the fire by placing a lid over the tealight or covering it with baking soda or salt. This cuts off oxygen supply.
- Pour water carefully onto the hot wax to cool it down. Do not use water on an active flame as it can cause splashing and spread the fire.
- Allow waxed wood, fabric or surfaces to fully cool before touching. Scrape off melted wax with a plastic or wooden spatula.
Acting swiftly helps minimize any damage. However, if the fire spreads or seems dangerous, evacuate the area immediately and call emergency services.
Fire Prevention
The most important step in fire prevention is having properly working smoke alarms in your home. The Red Cross recommends installing smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside each bedroom, and outside sleeping areas. Test smoke alarms monthly and replace batteries at least once a year. Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years.
It’s also crucial to have fire extinguishers readily available in your home. Keep an ABC type extinguisher in the kitchen, garage, and any other areas where a small fire may occur. Make sure all household members know how to properly operate the extinguisher. Fire extinguishers should be serviced annually by a professional.
Warning Signs
It’s important to watch for signs that a tea light has become unsafe. Some warning signs to look out for include:
The wax pooling unevenly or too close to the edge of the metal cup. This can cause the wax to spill over and ignite (The Flaming Candle, 2022).
The flame getting too high or flickering erratically. This may be a sign that too much wax has burned off, creating a fire hazard (The Flaming Candle, 2022).
Smoke or a strange smell coming from the tea light. This likely means the wax or wick is burning improperly (Etsy, 2022).
The metal cup becoming too hot to touch. Excessive heat can lead to fire or burns.
The wick mushrooming into a thick carbon mass or falling over onto the wax. These issues can cause improper wax pooling and uneven burning.
Black smoke coming from the wick, which indicates the wick needs trimming as it is likely to start smoking.
Any of these warning signs mean it’s time to extinguish and properly dispose of the tea light to prevent potential hazards.
Proper Disposal
To safely dispose of used tea lights, it’s crucial to first allow them to fully cool before attempting to handle or discard them (“A-Z of recycling: Tealight candles,” n.d.). The metal and wax can remain dangerously hot for some time after blowing out the flame. Allow at least an hour after extinguishing before disposing.
Once cooled, the wax and wick can be separated from the metal tea light cups. The wax and wick materials can go directly in the garbage. However, the metal holders may be recyclable depending on your local recycling guidelines. Check with your local waste management services about including cleaned tea light cups with other small recyclable metals.
Conclusion
In conclusion, tea lights can be used safely if proper precautions are taken. Here is a summary of the main points for tea light safety:
- Use tea lights in proper holders on stable, non-flammable surfaces.
- Never leave burning tea lights unattended.
- Keep tea lights away from flammable materials like curtains.
- Consider safer alternatives like flameless LED tea lights.
- Be prepared to extinguish tea lights if signs of danger arise.
- Allow tea lights to cool fully before disposal to prevent trash fires.
By following these common sense tea light safety guidelines, you can enjoy the ambience they provide without undue fire risks. Exercise caution and remain alert when burning tea lights, never leaving them unattended. With proper precautions, tea lights can be used safely in your home.
