Candle Safety

Remember: A candle is an open flame. It can easily ignite any combustible nearby.

The NFPA offers the following tips for safe use of candles:

1. Use candles only with constant adult supervision.
2. Extinguish all candles when leaving a room or going to sleep.
3. Keep candles well away from items that can catch fire, such as Christmas trees, flammable decorations, clothing, books, paper, curtains, etc.
4. Make sure candles are placed on a secure piece of furniture, in sturdy holders that will not tip over. Make sure candle holders are non-combustible and big enough to collect dripping wax.
5. Do not place lit candles in windows, where blinds or curtains can close over them.
6. Keep wicks trimmed to ¼ inch, and extinguish candles when they burn down to within two inches of the holder.
7. Keep candles and all open flames away from flammable liquids.
8. Do not use candles in places where they can be knocked over by children or pets.

Where young children are present:

1. Keep candles up high, out of reach of children.
2. Never leave a child unattended in a room with a candle. A child should not sleep in a room with a lit candle.
3. Keep all matches and lighters up high and out of the sight and reach of children, preferably in a locked cabinet.

During power outages:

1. Flashlights and other lights generated by batteries are much safer light sources than candles.
2. Try to avoid carrying a lit candle. 
3. Don't use a candle to go into a closet to look for things.
4. Never use a candle for light when fueling equipment such as a kerosene heater or lantern. The flame may ignite the fumes.
5. Extinguish all candles when leaving the home or when going to sleep.

© 1999-2000, NFPA