Candle Barn Guide

Safety

Candle safety at home

A candle is an open flame. A few firm rules keep it in its place. This page sums up the common advice; for official guidance, see national fire-safety bodies and your local fire department.

Official sources. This is general information. For current fire-safety guidance, see the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the U.S. Fire Administration. Your local fire department can also answer questions about your home. In an emergency, get out and call 911 (or your local emergency number).

The core rules

  1. Never leave a burning candle alone. Put it out before you leave the room, and before you go to sleep.
  2. Give it space. Keep candles about 12 inches (30 cm) from anything that can burn: curtains, bedding, paper, books, decorations and holiday greenery.
  3. Use a sturdy holder. It should be heat resistant, large enough to catch drips, and hard to tip over.
  4. Keep it on a stable surface. Not on a wobbly table, a stack of books or the edge of a shelf.
  5. Keep it out of reach. Children and pets can knock over a candle or reach the flame. Keep matches and lighters out of children's reach too.
  6. Check smoke alarms. Working smoke alarms on every level of the home give you time to get out if something goes wrong. Test them regularly.

Places to avoid

  • Bedrooms while anyone is drowsy or asleep.
  • Near open windows, fans or vents, where curtains can blow into the flame.
  • Under shelves or cabinets, where heat rises into the wood above.
  • Any room where someone uses medical oxygen. Oxygen makes fire burn faster and hotter.
  • Busy walkways, where people brush past with loose sleeves or long hair.

Safe burning habits

Trim the wick to about 1/4 inch before each burn, keep the wax clear of matches and debris, and stop using a container candle when about 1/2 inch of wax is left. Don't move a candle while it is lit or while the wax is liquid. A glass jar can get very hot near the end of a burn, so let it cool before you touch it. Our burn care guide covers these steps in detail.

During a power outage

Fire-safety bodies recommend flashlights and battery-powered lanterns instead of candles when the power goes out. People move around in the dark, carry candles from room to room and fall asleep with them burning. If you must use a candle, keep it in a sturdy holder on a stable surface, in the room where you are, and put it out before you leave or sleep.

Children and pets

A candle at a child's eye level, or on a low table where a dog's tail can swing, is a risk. Cats jump onto shelves and counters. Place candles high, stable and clear, or choose flameless LED candles in homes with young children or curious pets. Candle scents can also bother some animals; birds in particular are sensitive to things in the air. Ask your vet if you have concerns.

If a candle starts a fire

  • If the fire is spreading, get everyone out, close the door behind you if you can, and call 911 from outside.
  • For a small flare in a container, cover it with a metal lid or a baking sheet to cut off the air. Don't carry a burning candle.
  • Never pour water on burning or very hot wax. It can spatter and spread the fire.

Flameless options

Battery LED candles give a warm flicker with no flame, and they suit bedrooms, children's rooms, windows and holiday displays where a real flame would be risky. Wax warmers and reed diffusers spread scent without a flame. Follow the maker's instructions for any electric warmer, including where to place it.