Candle Safety Tips

Candles have a way of making any occasion special. Their soft glow provides the perfect ambiance for relaxation or romance. But as beautiful as they are, candles can also pose a serious risk if not handled properly.

After witnessing countless fires due to candles and hearing about more horror stories on the news, I feel that I need to put out as many warnings as I possible can to everyone to be safe with your candles. We all get comfortable, but you always need to be alert when dealing with open flame especially when indoors.

Never leave a burning candle unattended. Keep them out of reach of children and pets, and avoid placing them in high-traffic areas where they could be knocked over.

Keep candles away from flammable objects like curtains, towels, and decorations. Be mindful of drafts or air currents that might cause objects to move into the flame’s path.

Select non-flammable containers and avoid candle holders made of wood, plastic, or adorned with flammable decorations. Place them on stable surfaces that are resistant to heat to prevent accidental tipping.

Trimming the wick to 5-7 mm before lighting your candles helps control the flame’s size and reduces soot and splattering. It also helps the candle burn the way that it’s supposed to more overall. You can use a wick trimmer to make this easier, or simply a pair of scissors.

For more candle burning tips, read our candle burning guide, our candle wick guide might also be helpful to know about.

If you have children or pets, consider flameless candles as a safe alternative. We did a guide on the most realistic LED candles a while back on the blog and it’s incredible how realistic those can look nowadays. Many also use real wax and some are even scented!

If you’d like to step away from candles completely but still have a way to make your home smell lovely, essential oil diffusers are an amazing alternative to candles that can also provide added health benefits as well! We did a guide on the different types of essential oil diffusers if you’re new to diffusers that will teach you everything that you need to know!

Another home fragrance alternative that works incredibly well are simply using room sprays! Many luxury candle brands such as Jo Malone, Diptyque, and Nest New York make incredible quality room sprays that I highly recommend.

I’m sure this isn’t the typical way people going about extinguishing their candles, but I could see this happening in an emergency potentially. DO NOT DO THIS. This can cause the glass to shatter and lead to injuries. Instead, use a wick snuffer a wick dipper or simply blow it out.

We did a post on some great candle accessories you can find online in this guide.

Candles are beautiful, but they’re still an open flame. Enjoy them responsibly by following these guidelines, and they can add a magical touch to your home without risk.

Every day can be made special with candles. With the right precautions, you can enjoy their enchanting glow without fear.

Remember, safety doesn’t have to be complicated – it’s all about common sense and respect for the flame.

Whether it’s a candle-lit bath, a romantic dinner, or just a serene moment to yourself, let candles illuminate your life safely and beautifully.

Happy burning candle junkies!