Candle Safety | Orange, TX (2024)

FAQs

Is it safe to leave a lit candle unattended? ›

The U.S. Fire Administration says that an average of 42 candle-related fires are reported every day. The NCA has tips for safe use of candles: Never leave a burning candle unattended. If leaving a room, extinguish all candles and ensure the wick ember isn't glowing.

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.

The National Candle Association urges consumers to follow these rules for candle safety. Always keep a burning candle within sight. Extinguish all candles when leaving a room or before going to sleep. Never burn a candle on or near anything that can catch fire.

If you leave a candle burning overnight, you may have an unexpected visit from firefighters who are called to put out the flames. After a candle burns for around four hours, carbon build-up begins, creating an unstable flame. This can lead to wax tunneling, soot damage, and damaging the candle container.

In An Open Space

With no other object near it, the candle is safe and secure. And even if an accident occurs, such as the candle falling down and setting the table and desk on fire, it'll be easier to put this singular flame out then when other items are involved.

A good rule of thumb is to limit each candle to 2 hours of burn time, but absolutely no more than 4 hours at a time.

Lead wicks aside, burning candles can expose you to potentially hazardous chemicals, such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein. Though these chemicals can be dangerous, studies conclude that exposure to these chemicals when burning candles is too low to present a direct health hazard.

Once the candle has cooled down, the wax will solidify and trap the fragrance inside. Therefore, for those who are particularly concerned about preserving the candle's aroma, it is recommended to pour out any excess wax regularly.

Before lighting a candle, make sure you'll be around for about four hours while it's burning. The first burn is the most important since blowing it out before it melts all the way across can form “candle memory rings”.

The 8-10 Rule: Place one 8 ounce candle for every 10 feet radius of room. It's a good rule of thumb to follow the 8-10 rule to ensure your candle scent permeates the entire room equally.

What is the 84 candle rule? ›

After you choose your candle wax type, Armatage Candle Company recommends that beginners follow the 84-candle rule. In other words, make 84 candles to build your skill with the craft. Then give all of them away and take in feedback and any other valued learnings.

Keep burning candles away from furniture, drapes, bedding, carpets, books, paper, flammable decorations, etc. Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets. Do not place lighted candles where they can be knocked over by children, pets or anyone else.

Covering the candle with its lid is not recommended.

Some have rubber seals or other material that can melt. Lids also trap the smoke and leave soot on the wick and candle wax, making you lose some of your favorite fragrances. It's very unappealing when you relight your candle.

Please do not burn down your homes. NEVER leave a candle unattended, always burn on a heat-safe surface away from drafts, flammable materials, children and pets. For candles not in containers, always burn on plate to catch dripping wax.

Candles are small but can still output a measurable amount of carbon monoxide, especially those with wooden wicks. Under normal circ*mstances, candles are safe, but when multiple candles are being used as a light or heat source during a winter power outage, then CO levels can rise quickly in small enclosed rooms.

In recent years, numerous fires have been caused by unattended candles. Nationally, candles cause an estimated 15,600 fires in residences, 150 deaths, 1,270 injuries, and $539 million in estimated direct property damage each year. More candle fires begin in the bedroom than in any other room.

Unattended candles start many preventable fires that sadly lead to tragic fire deaths. Often, the fire is sparked by things that easily catch on fire. This includes curtains or paper being left too close to the flame.

Don't burn a candle in an enclosed space, lantern or box.

This can be particularly problematic in a very small room, where the enclosed space can cause the scent to become overwhelming and even potentially cause a safety hazard by filling the room with smoke and too many scent molecules.

Although fire danger from an open flame is eliminated, you have good reason not to leave a candle warmer unattended or burning for extended amounts of time. These include overheating, electrical wire damage, trip hazard from the chord, electrocution from water spills and smoke from a candle too near the heating lamp.