Fire Safety Tips for Candles in the Home

They're pretty and set the mood, but unfortunately, candle use is the cause of many preventable home fires. There are more than 7,600 home candle fires every year, many resulting in injury or even death.¹ More than half of these fires start because the candles are too close to combustible materials, which is easily preventable.

Here are a few candle safety tips to review before you light your next candle.

1. Don't leave burning candles unattended, even if you're going for a short walk with Fido. 

2. Keep candles away from anything flammable, including bedding, curtains, and papers.

3. If your candle is in a candle holder, the holder should be sturdy enough to avoid being easily knocked over. Skip the wobbly pedestal holders.

4. Candles should be placed where children and pets can’t reach them. Also, never underestimate their climbing abilities.

5. Use a candle wick trimmer to cut the wick to ¼ inch each time before burning.² Long wicks can cause uneven burning and dripping.

6. Keep the pool of wax in the candle clear of debris such as wick trimmings.

7. Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for candle use. Most candles should be burned for only a couple of hours at a time.

8. Extinguish candles with a candle snuffer or wick dipper rather than blowing them out. Hot wax can splatter with just a puff of breath.

9. Keep a fire extinguisher on hand in case something goes horribly wrong. 

When choosing a candle alternative, stay away from other fire hazards like wax melts and incense sticks. Although neither produces an open flame like a candle, they can still cause nearby combustibles to catch fire. They can also burn children and pets.

Instead, check out fragrance beads, fake LED candles, and lanterns.

Finally, our warnings about candle safety aren't complete without a reminder to check all smoke alarms in your home. Working smoke alarms greatly increase your chances of surviving a home fire. Remember to check them every month to ensure they are working properly.

• How Can I Prevent a House Fire?
• Most Common Places That Fires Occur in the Home
• Best Fire Safety Emergency Kits
• Space Heater Safety Guide
• What to Do in the Event of a House Fire    

1. Marty Ahrens, National Fire Protection Association, "Home Candle Fires," May 2020. Accessed November 22, 2021.
2. National Candle Association, "Fire Safety and Candles." Accessed November 22, 2021.