Photo of someone lighting Candles

There is a special beauty and tranquility when it comes to candles, but a candle is still an open flame and can be a considered a fire hazard if not carefully monitored. 

Consider using flameless candles in your home. They look and smell like real candles.

Safety Tips

Before Lighting

  • Before lighting a candle make sure to trim the wick to ¼ of an inch. You can use a wick trimmer, nail clippers or scissors. Long or crooked wicks can cause uneven burning, dripping or flaring.
  • Always use a study candle holder. These should be heat resistant and large enough to contain any dripping or melted wax. 

While Burning

  • Never leave a candle unattended.
  • Keep candles on high surfaces, especially if you have young children or pets in the home that could knock over the candle.
  • Never burn a candle on or near anything that can catch on fire. Three out of five fires start when candles are close to something that can burn. Keep Candles one foot (30 centimetres) away from anything that can catch fire.
  • Never us a candle as a night light or while you may fall asleep.
  • Be very careful when using candles during a power outage. Flashlights and other battery-powered lights are a safer source. 
  • Never use a candle if there is stored oxygen in the house (i.e. a medical oxygen tank).
  • Once candles are lit, place the lighter or matches back in a locked box so children cannot access them. 

Extinguishing

  • Use a candle snuffer to extinguish a candle. This is the safest way to prevent hot wax from splattering.
  • Don’t use water to extinguish a candle. Water can cause the hot wax to splatter.
  • Always make sure the candle is completely out and the wick is no longer glowing before leaving the room.
  • Never move or touch a candle until it is completely cooled.
  • Always blow out the candle when you leave the room.
Religious ceremony candle safety
  • Sometimes, lit candles are used in religious services, in places of worship and in the home.
  • December is the peak time of year for home candle fires, as they hold a prominent place in religious observations and also are a very popular addition to holiday décor.
  • 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.
  • Handled candles should not be passed from person to person.
  • Candles placed on, or near tables, altars, or shrines, must be watched by an adult.
  • If a candle must burn continuously, be sure it is enclosed in a glass container and placed in a sink, on a metal tray, or in a deep basin filled with water.

For more Candle fire safety information, visit NFPA Candle Safety,  Canada.ca or NFPA Religious Candles.