CANDLE WITH CARE
Never leave a burning candle unattended.
Practice safe candle use:
- Use candle holders that: are sturdy, will not tip over easily, are made from a material that cannot burn, are large enough to collect dripping wax.
- Place candle holders on a sturdy, uncluttered surface – away from edges and any place where they could be knocked over by children or pets
- Light candles carefully. Keep your hair and loose clothing away from the flame.
- Keep candle wicks trimmed to one-quarter inch.
- Extinguish candles when they burn down to within two inches of their holder or any decorative material.
- Extinguish candles carefully. Do not leave the room until wicks have stopped glowing.
- Do not leave young children unattended in a room with a candle.
Candles and holidays
During December, there are nearly twice as many candle fires as are averaged during the other 11 months.
- Keep candles away from natural and artificial Christmas trees.
- Keep candles away from all holiday decorations.
- Place burning candles where they cannot be bumped or brushed against.
- Arrange table candles safely away from flammable centerpieces and hanging decorations.
During power outages
Avoid using candles for emergency lighting.
- If your electrical service goes out, use flashlights and battery-powered lamps, when possible.
- Do not carry lit candles.
- Do not use a candle for light when adding kerosene or any flammable fuel to a heater, lantern, or other device. The flame could ignite the fumes.
- Extinguish all candles when you leave the room or go to sleep.
Candles and children
- Supervise children who are in a room with burning candles.
- Store candles, matches, and lighters up high and out of children’s sight and reach.
- Do not allow children or teens to burn candles in their bedrooms.
- Do not let children play with candles or dripping wax – or with combustible material near candles.
Reducing the risk
- Never leave a burning candle unattended.
- Extinguish all candles when you leave the room or go to bed
- NFPA discourages the use of candles in bedrooms and sleeping areas.
- Keep candles a least one foot from anything that can burn, like bedding, curtains and blinds, wallpaper, upholstered furniture, piles of clothing, newspapers, and magazines.
- Keep candles away from flammable liquids.
- Place lit candles away from windows and doorways, where drafts could bring combustibles in contact with the flame.
