Is Melting Candles Safer Than Burning?

Candles are a popular product used to create light and scent in homes. They come in many styles, shapes, colors and scents and can be made from wax or soy. While most people use candles by lighting the wick so the candle burns down, some people prefer to melt candles to release their fragrance. Both melting and burning candles raise potential safety concerns that should be considered.

When people refer to burning candles, they mean lighting the wick so that the candle wax slowly melts and vaporizes as the flame burns downwards. With melting candles, the candle is placed in a melting vessel or warmed indirectly, allowing the wax to turn to liquid without burning the wick. Both methods result in the candle releasing its fragrance, but burning and melting have different safety profiles.

This article will examine the potential hazards and proper safety precautions for burning versus melting candles. Key factors like fire and air quality risks, lead exposure, and supervision will be covered to help determine which method may be safer in different contexts. Proper usage is critical for both burning and melting candles safely.

Fire Hazards

Burning candles pose a significant fire hazard that melting candles do not. The open flame on a burning candle can easily ignite nearby combustible materials like clothing, curtains, or furniture. This can quickly lead to a house fire causing extensive property damage or even loss of life. According to the National Fire Protection Association, candles cause an estimated 7,000 house fires every year in the United States. Most of these fires start because the burning candles were left unattended, placed too close to flammable objects, or forgotten about. With a melting candle, there is no live flame so this extreme fire danger is eliminated. The wax simply liquefies into a pool as the candle melts, which cannot ignite objects or start fires. Therefore, melting candles are the safer choice when it comes to the risk of unintended fires.

Air Quality

Burning candles produce smoke and soot that can worsen indoor air quality and exacerbate respiratory conditions like asthma. As the candle wax melts and the wick burns, it releases particles into the air. These microscopic particles, known as particulate matter, can penetrate deep into the lungs and contain compounds that are harmful if inhaled.

Studies have found that burning candles, especially those with synthetic or paraffin wax, generate just as much or more soot than burning a comparable amount of diesel fuel. The soot emitted can contain carcinogens and other toxins. This is concerning since we spend up to 90% of our time indoors, where candle pollution is concentrated if there is inadequate ventilation.

Soot can also dirty walls, furniture, and other surfaces. The smoke released while burning candles has been shown to exceed health guidelines for hazardous air pollutants. Sensitive individuals with allergies or asthma may experience aggravated symptoms from the particulate matter and chemicals released into their indoor air.

Proper ventilation can help mitigate some of these risks, but avoiding burning candles altogether eliminates the chance of reduced air quality. Switching to melting candles instead helps provide fragrance or ambience indoors without compromising the air you breathe.

Lead in Wicks

Candle wicks can potentially be a source of lead exposure if they contain a metal core made with lead or lead compounds. When the wick is lit during burning, these metals can vaporize into the air and be inhaled. Lead is a toxic heavy metal that can accumulate in the body over time and cause health problems like anemia, weakness, kidney damage and brain damage.

Some candle wicks still contain lead cores, especially in imported candles, vintage candles, or candles made by hobbyists or small businesses. However, since 2003, regulations have banned lead in wicks in candles manufactured or imported in the United States. Reputable national brands and manufacturers now use alternative metals like zinc or tin, or use non-metal braided cotton wicks.

To reduce lead exposure from candle burning, purchase candles made after 2003 from major manufacturers that comply with lead regulations. Avoid using old, vintage or handmade candles that may still contain lead cores. Trim wicks to 1⁄4 inch before lighting to reduce lead vaporization. Discard candles once 1⁄2 inch of wax remains to avoid lead concentrated at the bottom. Be especially careful around children as they are more vulnerable to lead’s toxic effects.

Melting Candles

Melting candles rather than burning them can reduce some of the fire and air quality risks associated with burning candles. When candles are burned, the open flame generates heat up to 1,400 degrees Celsius. This intense heat from the naked flame can ignite nearby combustible materials if carelessly left unattended. Melting eliminates the open flame hazard by heating the candle indirectly. Without a live flame, there is less risk of accidentally igniting curtains, furniture, clothing or other flammable objects in the vicinity of the candle. This reduces potential fire hazards in the home.

Additionally, melting a candle instead of burning it generates less soot emissions. As the wick burns, it produces tiny particles of unburned carbon that dirty the air. Heating the candle more gently melts the wax away from the wick but doesn’t sustain the chemical reaction of combustion. Melting produces essentially zero soot, keeping indoor air cleaner. The reduction in airborne contaminants makes melting a better option for people with asthma or chemical sensitivities.

Supervision

Both melting and burning candles require close adult supervision, as they can pose safety risks. Children should not be left unattended around candles, whether they are being burned or melted.

Burning candles can tip over or get too close to flammable materials, causing fires. Melting candles also carry risks, as hot wax can burn skin or splatter if spilled. Supervise children closely if allowing them to melt old candle stubs under adult guidance. Never let children play unattended with melting wax.

Whether burning or melting, candles should not be left unattended. Stay in the same room, keep candles out of reach of children and pets, and blow them out if leaving the area. Fires can start quickly from neglected candles. Proper supervision helps prevent burns and fire hazards.

Use Candles Safely

When burning or melting candles, it’s important to take precautions to avoid fires or other safety hazards. Here are some tips for using candles safely:

Use proper candle holders. Don’t place burning candles directly on surfaces like wood tables or shelves. The flame can ignite these surfaces. Use holders made of heat-resistant materials like metal, glass or ceramic. The holder should be sturdy and sized appropriately for the candle. This helps contain melting wax and prevents the candle from tipping over.

Keep candles away from flammables. Position candle holders at least 12 inches from anything that can burn, like curtains, upholstery or holiday decorations. Don’t put candles near vents either since drafts can blow the flame in unsafe directions.

Never leave burning candles unattended. Extinguish candles before leaving a room or going to sleep. Supervise children and pets around burning candles at all times.

Alternatives

While candles can create soothing ambience and scents, there are safer alternatives that don’t carry the same fire and air quality risks. Here are some options to consider instead of burning candles:

LED candles – These realistically flicker like a real flame, providing a similar effect without an open flame. LED candles use battery or electric power to illuminate small lights that mimic the look of a burning candle.

Wax melts and warmers – Wax melts release scent when warmed in an electric wax warmer, but do not require an open flame. The melts are made from soy, paraffin or beeswax and come in many fragrances. Warmers safely heat the wax just enough to disperse the scent.

Essential oil diffusers – Diffusers distribute essential oils into the air to provide aromatic benefits. They use cool mist, heat, fans or ultrasonic vibrations to disperse the oils without burning. Many styles and brands are available to suit different spaces.

These flameless options allow you to enjoy the benefits of candles while avoiding the risks of open flames, smoke, and contaminants. They provide a safer alternative in homes with children, pets or respiratory issues.

Summary

Both burning and melting candles carry risks, though with proper precautions neither is necessarily unsafe. Burning candles can pose fire hazards and release pollutants but careful placement, trimming wicks, and adequate ventilation can minimize these. Melting candles avoids open flames but still releases chemicals, requires close supervision due to burn risks, and generates lead exposure if the wick contains lead. While each option has advantages and disadvantages, both can be enjoyed relatively safely with knowledge of proper usage. The most important factors are using high quality candles, never leaving them unattended, and understanding the risks so they can be mitigated.

Conclusions

Whether melting or burning candles, there are some best practices to follow for safe usage:

– Never leave burning candles unattended. Extinguish candles before leaving a room or going to sleep.

– Place candles in sturdy, heat-resistant containers on flat, stable surfaces. Keep them away from drapes, bedding, flammable items, and out of reach of children and pets.

– Don’t burn candles near open windows, as drafts can cause rapid, uneven burning and dripping. Trim wicks to 1⁄4 inch before lighting to prevent smoking and flickering.

– Use candle holders that are wider and taller than the candle. Make sure melted wax has a place to pool safety as it drips.

– Keep burning candles at least 12 inches apart and away from surfaces. Allow candles to cool completely before moving them.

– Never lean over or move a burning candle. Keep hair, clothing and combustibles away from flames.

– Extinguish taper and pillar candles when they get to within 2 inches of the holder so they don’t burn down completely.

– Don’t burn candles longer than the manufacturer recommends, usually 4 hours for a large pillar candle.

– Consider switching to flameless LED candles for added safety. But still keep electric candles away from water and burning objects.

Following basic precautions allows you to safely enjoy candles, whether you prefer to melt, burn or use flameless varieties.