As you start sprucing up your home and hosting gatherings, make sure that safety remains a top priority. About 85 percent of residential candle fires could be avoided by what we call the big three candle safety rules:

Never leave a burning candle unattended

Just like Santa Claus, you better “watch out” for any burning candles. During instances where your hosting duties require you to bounce from room-to-room, have a guest keep an eye on candles. Alternatively, consider lighting candles for a few hours before guests arrive to scent your home and blow them out when the party gets started. Never burn a candle in an area where you might fall asleep.

Deck the halls, but space things out

When decorating your home, keep candles away from anything that may catch fire. Watch out for items such as greenery, decorations, and curtains. Consider displaying an electric menorah in your window instead of candles, and save the candles for a sturdy open space like a table. Candles also make for an elegant display on your mantel, or as a centerpiece when grouped together. Always make sure that candles are placed at least 3 inches apart.

Keep candles out of Rudolph’s reach – and any pets or children! 

Just like you have a special spot for hiding holiday gifts, make sure your lit candles are just as inaccessible to children and pets to reduce the risk of accidents. Placing them up high and out-of-reach is your best bet. This will also help to make sure they are not toppled over if you many people moving around a room.

For a full list of safe candle protocol, check out our Candle Safety Guidelines. For additional information on candles and fire safety, visit our Fire Safety page.

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MYTH: Unscented candles are safer than scented candles. 

There are no known health hazards associated with scented candles. NCA members are committed to manufacturing candles with fragrances that are safe and approved for use in candles, whether natural or synthesized.  Scented or unscented, you can rest assured that any well-made and properly burned candle will burn cleanly and safely.

MYTH: Candle soot can be harmful.

The small amount of soot produced by a candle is the natural byproduct of incomplete combustion and is not considered a health concern. This is similar to the soot given off by kitchen toasters and cooking oils and is chemically different from the soot formed by the burning of diesel fuel, coal, or gasoline.

While you shouldn’t be worried about candle soot, there are a few ways to reduce it. Trim the wick to ¼ inch before every use to promote proper flame height. Additionally, place the candle away from drafty areas to avoid flame flickering, and ensure that the wax pool is free of debris.

MYTH: Some candle waxes are better than others. 

While you may have heard that certain candle waxes burn “better” than other types, this is nothing but a common rumor.

An international study was conducted on soy wax, paraffin wax, beeswax, and other commonly used waxes. Findings showed that all well-made candles exhibit the same clean burning behavior, and pose no risks to human health or indoor air quality.

MYTH: Certain candles contain lead wicks, and should be avoided. 

The use of lead in candle wicks was formally banned in 2003, after being identified as a public health concern by the Environmental Protection Agency. Members of the National Candle Association discontinued the use of lead wicks in the 1970s.

Therefore, there is no longer any reason to be concerned about lead wicks – or the toxicity of any candle wick material. Scientific studies have repeatedly shown candle wicks to be safe and non-toxic.

For more answers to common questions around candles, visit our FAQ page. To learn about the safety of candles, check out our Research.

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While flashlights and battery-powered lamps are safe sources of light during lengthy power outages, candles are also reliable alternatives if used safely. It’s important to remember that a candle is an open flame, which always runs the potential risk of a fire-related accident. According to the National Fire Protection Association, more than 20% of candle fires involving fatalities occur during a loss of power.

Here are some safety precautions to follow when the lights go out:

DO pay attention to proximity

It’s important to make sure that you’re not burning a candle on or near anything that could catch fire. Keep candles at least 12 inches away from furniture, drapes, bedding, carpets, books, or any other flammable objects. Place burning candles at least 3 inches apart from one another so they don’t melt one another or burn improperly.

DON’T leave burning candles unattended

Try to restrict people and candles to one room in the house so the location of family members can always can be accounted for and you can keep an eye on open flames. Extinguish all candles before going to bed or leaving a room.

DO place candles on a fire-resistant surface

Place a handle in its holder on a stable, nonflammable surface, such as a metal cookie sheet, frying pan or ceramic plate.

DON’T light a candle if you smell gas

If you smell gas inside or outside your home, immediately put out all open flames, shut off your gas supply, leave the area, get to a safe place, and call 911.

DO use pillar or container candles

Broader-based candles are a suitable option for power outages, as these are less likely to be accidentally knocked over. When possible, candles should be enclosed within glass hurricane holders or globes.

DON’T use candles as a search guide or night light

Avoid walking around with a candle. Dark rooms can increase the chance of tripping or brushing against a flammable item. Use a flashlight instead.

DO keep candles out of reach of children and pets

Place candles up high to avoid the risk of pets, children, or adults accidentally bumping candles over in the dark.

For a complete list of regulations for safe candle use, check out NCA’s Candle Safety Rules. To learn more about fire safety, visit NCA’s Fire Safety Guidelines.

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Burning a candle is easy. Luckily, so is following proper candle care and safety guidelines. Extend the life of your favorite candles, prevent unsightly soot and tunneling, and burn candles like a pro by following these simple tips:

Always trim the wick and check for debris.

Before you light a candle, always trim the wick to ¼ inch and remove any debris left in the wax pool such as wick trimmings or matches. Any debris will add more fuel to the candle than it’s designed to handle. Too much fuel can cause the flame to unexpectedly flare up or even start a small fire near the candle flame. Wicks that are left long or crooked can cause uneven burning, dripping, flaring and sooting. Trimming wicks will help prolong the life of your candle. Your candles will burn up to 25% longer if you trim the wick every couple of hours.

Get it right the first time.

Just like the first cut is the deepest, that first burn is the most important. Candles should burn one hour for every 1 inch in diameter of the actual candle size. For example, a candle that is 2 inches across should burn for 2 hours. If a candle is not burned for long enough to allow the wax to liquefy or to melt from edge to edge of the container, it will create a “memory ring.” Once a candle has a “memory ring,” it will continue to tunnel for the life of the candle.

Don’t keep candles burning for longer than indicated on the manufacturer’s instructions.

Burning a candle for too long will cause carbon to collect on the wick, leading it to “mushroom.” The wick will then become unstable and produce a dangerously large flame. Plus, your candle will start to smoke and release soot. Avoid this by always following the manufacturer’s instructions. In general, it is recommended that candles do not burn for longer than four hours and cool for at least two hours before relighting.

Keep the flame away from moving air.

When burning a candle, avoid proximity to fans, air conditioners, open windows, or crowded areas with people walking back and forth. Moving air can disturb the flame, resulting in those pesky black marks on the glass.

Store your candles properly.

Store candles in a cool, dark and dry place with the lid on to keep them clean of dust and debris, and to help protect the wax and fragrance. Highly fragrant candles have a life span of 6 to 12 months, depending on the scent. If you enjoy fragranced candles, then use and replace them often to avoid deterioration in appearance and performance.

To learn more about safe candle use, visit NCA’s Fire Safety & Candles page. Happy candle burning!

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