Jessie Taylor
Candles are a great way to create a cosy and inviting ambience, but they can be dangerous if left unattended. Leaving a candle lit can lead to a number of hazardous situations, including unstable flames, fire hazards, and health concerns. When left unattended, candles can easily be knocked over by wind, drafts, children, or pets, and if they fall onto a flammable surface, they can quickly start a fire. Burning candles also emit pollutants such as benzene and toluene, which can be harmful if inhaled in large quantities. It is important to always extinguish candles before leaving the room and to keep them away from flammable materials and the reach of children and pets.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fire hazard | Candles are an open flame and a potential fire hazard if left unattended or placed near flammable objects. |
| Unstable flame | Burning for too long can cause carbon build-up on the wick, leading to an unstable flame that may spread or cause wax tunneling. |
| Health concerns | Burning candles emit pollutants such as benzene and toluene, which can irritate the eyes, throat, and lungs, causing respiratory issues, especially for vulnerable individuals. |
| Container damage | The heat from the flame can crack or shatter the candle container, causing hot wax to spill out and creating a fire hazard. |
| Knocked over | Candles can be knocked over by wind, drafts, children, or pets, especially if placed on unstable surfaces or near openings. |
| Inadequate ventilation | Burning candles in a closed room without proper ventilation can increase the risk of inhaling pollutants and, in rare cases, carbon monoxide poisoning. |
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Fire hazards
Leaving a candle unattended is a fire hazard and can lead to a serious house fire. According to the National Fire Protection Association, half of all candle fires started when a flammable piece of décor, including furniture, mattresses, bedding, curtains, home decorations, paper, and clothing, were too close to the lit candle.
It is recommended that candles should not burn for longer than four hours and should be left to cool for at least two hours before being relit. This is because, after a candle has burned for around four hours, carbon build-up begins, creating an unstable flame. This can lead to wax tunnelling, soot damage, and damaging the candle container.
Candles should always be placed on a stable, heat-resistant surface and in a proper holder to prevent them from falling over. They should also be kept away from flammable materials, such as curtains, rugs, fabrics, and combustible liquids. Additionally, candles should be kept out of the reach of children and pets.
It is important to always extinguish a candle before leaving the room and to never leave a burning candle unattended. Even if you think you will be right back, accidents can happen.
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Health concerns
Burning candles emit pollutants such as benzene and toluene, which can be harmful if inhaled in large quantities. These pollutants can irritate the eyes, throat, and lungs, causing respiratory problems, headaches, and nausea. People with asthma or other respiratory conditions are particularly vulnerable to the effects of candle smoke.
To avoid health risks, candles should be burned in a well-ventilated room to prevent excessive smoke or soot build-up. When a candle burns for too long, carbon may collect on the wick, causing the flame to become unstable and potentially dangerous. A turbulent candle flame may also start to smoke and release soot, which can be harmful if inhaled.
It is also important to note that candles should not be used in place of night lights or while you may fall asleep. Candles should be extinguished before leaving the room and kept out of the reach of children and pets.
While it is unlikely to cause carbon monoxide poisoning, it is still recommended to have proper ventilation when burning candles.
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Carbon monoxide poisoning
Leaving a candle unattended is a fire hazard and can cause a serious house fire. Candles can become unstable if they burn for too long, and the hot wax may cause the candle holder to crack, allowing the candle to fall over and come into contact with flammable materials.
Beyond the risk of fire, leaving a candle burning can also lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless, and tasteless gas, making it difficult to detect. It is often referred to as a "silent killer", as almost 50,000 people visit the ER annually due to accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. While a single candle only emits 2-3 parts per million of carbon monoxide, lighting multiple candles in a poorly ventilated room significantly raises this figure, leading to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.
The excessive carbon monoxide in the air enters your system while you breathe and builds up in your bloodstream. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include dehydration, confusion, blurry/double vision, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness/vertigo, and headaches. In the case of TikTok user Emy Moore, who experienced carbon monoxide poisoning from scented candles, her symptoms abated after a few hours hooked up to an oxygen machine.
To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, it is recommended to install a carbon monoxide detector in your home. If the detector goes off, open the windows, put out the candle, and step out for some time. Additionally, it is generally advised to not burn a candle for more than four hours, to reduce exposure to chemicals and byproducts of candle burning.
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Wax spillages
To prevent wax spillages, it's important to always use a suitable candleholder or dish that is specifically designed to hold a candle and catch any melted wax. The holder should be made from a non-flammable material, such as glass or metal, and it should be placed on a stable, heat-resistant surface. It's also important to keep candles away from drafts or breezes, as these can cause the flame to flicker and the wax to splatter.
If you're using a candle that is in a container, such as a jar candle, it's important to check that the container is in good condition and has no cracks or chips. The container should also be made from heat-resistant material to prevent it from cracking or shattering from the heat of the flame or hot wax.
In addition to using a suitable holder or container, it's important to keep candles away from flammable materials, such as curtains, rugs, and fabrics. This includes ensuring that the candle is not placed near any items that could easily catch fire if hot wax were to spill, such as books, magazines, or wooden furniture.
Finally, it's important to never leave a burning candle unattended. If a candle is left unattended, it could continue to burn down and potentially cause a wax spillage. By following these precautions, you can help reduce the risk of wax spillages and the potential dangers associated with them.
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Container damage
Firstly, choose an appropriate container. Avoid using containers that can burn or melt easily, such as birch bark bowls, coconut shells, or plastic glasses. Opt for heat-resistant and fire-resistant containers to minimise the risk of container damage.
Keep a safe distance between candles. Containers should be placed at least 3 inches apart to prevent the heat from one candle from affecting another. This helps maintain the integrity of the containers and reduces the risk of container damage.
Always trim the wick before lighting the candle. Trimming the wick to around 5mm or 1/4 inch helps prevent rapid and uneven burning, reducing the likelihood of the container cracking due to uneven heat distribution.
Never leave a burning candle unattended. Unattended candles increase the risk of container damage as there is no one to monitor and respond to any issues that may arise, such as the flame burning too high or the container leaking.
Extinguish the candle at the appropriate time. To avoid damaging the wick and the container, it is recommended to extinguish the candle when the melt pool reaches about 1cm or 1/3 inch deep. Do not burn the candle to the bottom of the container, and always leave at least 1/2 inch of wax remaining (2 inches for pillar candles).
By following these safety tips, you can help prevent container damage and create a safer environment when enjoying your candles.
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Frequently asked questions
Leaving a candle unattended is extremely dangerous and can lead to a fire or damage to your property. According to the National Fire Protection Association, 50% of candle fires start when a flammable piece of décor, furniture, mattresses, bedding, curtains, paper, or clothing is placed too close to the candle.
Burning candles emit pollutants such as benzene and toluene, which can be harmful if inhaled in large quantities. These pollutants can irritate the eyes, throat, and lungs, causing respiratory problems, headaches, and nausea. People with asthma or other respiratory conditions are particularly vulnerable to the effects of candle smoke.
Candles shouldn't be left burning for longer than four hours and should be left to cool for at least two hours before being relit. This is because, after around four hours, carbon build-up can cause unstable flames, wax tunneling, and soot damage.
