Candle care

Safety advice on the use of all types of Candles.

Candles are naked flames, and they need to be treated with respect.

• Don't leave them burning in a room with no one in it.
  
• Don't put them in or by a Christmas tree, plants, flowers or foliage. Ribbons and other decorations around the candle holder could also catch fire.
  
• Make sure they're in holders that won't fall over.
  
• Put night lights or tea lights on a heat-resistant surface.
  
• Keep them away from curtains and furniture, and not under a surface, like a shelf.
  
• Don't put them where they could be knocked over easily or where people could burn their clothes or hair on them.
  
• Make sure they're completely out - not smouldering.

An example of a tea light left on a non heat resistant surface, in this case a television set. {click on an image to enlarge it}

What's the fuss about candles?

Candles are actually a growing cause of fire. Every year people are killed and injured because they were careless with one. Learn how to be careful with candles.

Candles mark special occasions and create a special atmosphere. They also bring fire into your home.
So treat them carefully. Here are some guidelines.

Put them on a heat resistant surface

Be especially careful with night lights and tea lights, which get hot enough to melt plastic. TVs are not fire-resistant objects.

Put them in a proper holder

Candles need to be held firmly upright by the holder so they won't fall over. The holder needs to be stable too, so it won't fall over either.

Position them away from curtains

Don't put candles go near curtains or other fabrics - or furniture. And keep them out of draughts.

Don't put them under shelves

It's easy to forget that there's a lot of heat above a burning candle. If you put it under a shelf or other surface then it can burn the surface. Make sure there's at least three feet (one metre) between a candle and any surface above it.

Keep clothes and hair away

If there's any chance you could lean across a candle and forget it's there, put it somewhere else. You don't want to set fire to your clothes or your hair.

Keep children and pets away

Candles should be out of reach of children and pets.

Keep candles apart

Leave at least four inches (10cm) between two burning candles.

Take care with votive or scented candles

These kinds of candles turn to liquid to release their fragrance, so put them in a glass or metal holder.

Don't move them when they're burning

Extinguish candles before moving them. Also, don't let anything fall into the hot wax like match sticks.

Don't leave them burning

Extinguish candles before you leave a room. Never go to sleep with a candle still burning. And never leave a burning candle or oil burner in a child's bedroom.

Use a snuffer or a spoon to put them out

It's safer than blowing them, which can send sparks and hot wax flying.

Double-check they're out

Candles that have been put out can go on smouldering and start a fire. Make sure they're completely out.