A candle is an open flame, meaning that it can easily ignite anything that can burn.

Fact: December is the peak time of year for home candle fires, most of which involve decorations.

Candle with Care

  • Blow out all candles when you leave the room or go to bed
  • Avoid using candles in the bedroom and other areas where people may fall asleep
  • Keep candles at least 1 foot away from anything that can burn
  • Consider using flameless, battery-operated candles in your home, as they can look and smell like real candles

 

If you burn candles, make sure you...
  • Never leave a burning candle unattended - not even for a few moments
  • Use non-combustible, sturdy container/holder to secure candles; place them on an uncluttered, solid and steady surface
  • Light candles carefully and be mindful of long hair and loose clothing near the flame
  • Never use a candle if oxygen is used in the home
  • Never leave a child or pet alone in a room with a burning candle
  • Keep matches and lighters up high and out of children's reach
  • Don't burn a candle all the way down to the base of the holder
  • Candle wicks should be cut to approximately a quarter inch prior to lighting
  • Never use candles during a power outage; instead, have flashlights and battery-operated lighting on stand-by for emergencies
Religious Candle Safety
  • Do not pass handheld candles from one person to another person
  • When lighting candles at a candle lighting service, have the person with the unlit candle dip their candle into the flame of the lit candle
  • Do not place lit candles in windows where blinds, drapes or curtains can catch fire
  • Candles placed on or near tables, altars or shrines, must be watched by an adult
  • If a candle must burn continuously, ensure it is enclosed in a glass container and placed in a sink, on a metal tray or in a deep basin filled with water
  • Be cautious of hair and loose clothing near open flames
Holiday Candle Safety

Halloween

  • Use a battery-operated candle or glow-stick in jack-o-lanterns
  • If using a real candle in jack-o-lanterns, use long, fireplace-style matches or a utility lighter to light the wick
  • Place lit pumpkins well away from anything that can burn and far enough out of the way of trick-or-treaters, doorsteps, walkways and yards

Christmas

  • Never use lit candles to decorate a Christmas tree
  • Keep candles at least 3 feet away from things that can burn (i.e., Christmas trees, decorations, curtains, etc.)
  • Consider using battery-operated candles, which can look, smell and feel like real candles