Candles create a beautiful atmosphere, and following a few simple candle safety tips helps you enjoy them with confidence. A few simple habits keep your home safe and your candles burning their best. Whether you're new to candles or have been burning them for years, these guidelines are worth keeping in mind.

  • Never leave burning candles unattended. Even a brief absence gives time for a flame to catch something nearby.
  • Put candles out if the flame becomes unusually large. A high flame often means the wick needs trimming. Extinguish the candle, let it cool, trim the wick to ¼ inch, and relight.
  • Never let a candle burn down completely to the bottom.  Stop burning when about half an inch of wax remains to prevent the holder from overheating.
  • Secure candles on non-combustible holders that won't tip over
  • Do not place lit candles in windows where blinds or curtains may close over them
  • Don't use candles in places where children or pets could knock them over
  • Snuff candles out when leaving the room or going to sleep
  • Do not allow children to light or play with candles

A note on beeswax candles

One advantage of natural beeswax candles is that they burn cleaner than paraffin — no soot, no petroleum byproducts, and no artificial fragrance to worry about. That said, all candles benefit from the same common-sense candle safety practices above.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if a candle flame gets too large?

Extinguish the candle, let it cool, trim the wick to ¼ inch, and relight it. A large flame usually means the wick is too long. Trimming the wick before each burn also helps promote a steadier, more even flame.

How far should candles be from curtains or blinds?

Keep lit candles at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn, including curtains, blinds, fabric, and paper. Never place a lit candle in a window where curtains or blinds could come into contact with the flame.

Is it safe to leave a candle burning overnight?

No. Always extinguish candles before leaving the room or going to sleep. Never burn a candle unattended, even for a short time.

At what point should I stop burning a candle?

Stop burning a candle when about half an inch of wax remains at the base. Burning below that point can overheat the candle holder and affect the candle's performance.

Are beeswax candles safer than paraffin candles?

Natural beeswax candles burn without petroleum byproducts or added synthetic fragrance. They also burn cleaner than paraffin and produce less soot when used properly. Like all candles, they should always be burned according to standard candle safety practices.

Can children light candles?

No. Do not allow children to light or play with candles. Keep lit candles out of reach of children and pets, and always supervise burning candles.