Safe Candle and Open-Flame Use at Home
Launch library · evergreen read
Candles remain a fairly common cause of household fires, usually because they are left burning genuinely unattended or placed far too close to curtains, bedding or other flammable materials that can catch remarkably quickly once a naked flame is left unmonitored for even just a few short minutes.
Placing candles on a stable, heat-resistant surface, well away from any draughts that can cause uneven burning or accidental tipping, and always properly extinguishing them before leaving a room or heading off to sleep, addresses most of the common, everyday risks associated with candle use at home.
Keeping candles and matches genuinely well out of reach of both children and pets, and using a proper snuffer rather than simply blowing out a candle near flammable decorations, reduces the chance of an accidental spark, spill or scattered wax landing across nearby surfaces considerably.
Flameless, battery-powered candles offer a remarkably similar atmosphere for many everyday occasions without carrying the underlying fire risk at all, and are genuinely worth considering for any household with young children or curious pets who might easily knock a lit candle over by pure accident.