Jessie Taylor
Candle lanterns have been used for lighting and signalling for centuries, with sky lanterns becoming a popular choice for celebrations and festivals. However, there are safety concerns associated with their use, particularly the risk of fire. When a candle lantern goes out, it is important to follow safety precautions to avoid potential hazards. This includes ensuring the candle is completely extinguished, preventing hot wax from splattering, and allowing the lantern to cool before handling. Understanding the risks and taking the necessary precautions can help ensure the safe use of candle lanterns.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What happens when candle lanterns go out | The lantern returns gently to the earth |
| The paper lantern could catch fire if tilted by wind or collision with an object | |
| The fuel source could hit the ground while still burning | |
| The wire frame used in many sky lanterns poses a swallowing risk to local wildlife | |
| Sky lanterns have caused fires and deaths |
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What You'll Learn
- Sky lanterns: Paper sky lanterns can cause fires, especially if they tilt in the wind
- Fire hazards: Never use a candle lantern to look for things in a closet or fuel equipment
- Safety: Always use a candleholder designed for candle use, and keep candles away from children and pets
- Extinguishing: Use a candle snuffer to prevent hot wax from splattering. Never use water
- LED alternatives: Modern lanterns are often battery-powered, which is safer than candles, especially for young people
Sky lanterns: Paper sky lanterns can cause fires, especially if they tilt in the wind
Sky lanterns, also known as Chinese lanterns, are airborne paper lanterns that are launched into the sky during celebrations and festivals. They are miniature hot air balloons, powered by a candle or a small wax fuel cell. The candle heats up the air inside the lantern, which is carefully crafted to provide only a small opening at the bottom for air to escape. The heated air creates lift, which causes the lantern to rise, and buoyancy, which keeps it suspended.
However, sky lanterns can be dangerous. The primary concern is that the paper lantern could catch fire if it is tilted by the wind or collides with an object. Although the paper itself would burn out in a few seconds, the fuel source could hit the ground while still burning, potentially causing a fire. This has resulted in several fires and even deaths. In 2013, a man in the US state of Washington started a 500-acre wildfire after his sky lantern floated into a hillside. In the same year, a huge fire in the West Midlands of England saw 100,000 tons of plastic recycling material burn, with a sky lantern being blamed as the cause.
Due to the fire risks, sky lanterns have been banned in many cities and countries. Some locations have banned them altogether, while others have imposed restrictions on their use. It is important to check local laws and safety standards before using sky lanterns. They should only be used on still, clear evenings, and one should avoid launching them in areas with burnable vegetation or obstructions.
In addition to the fire risks, sky lanterns can also pose a danger to wildlife and the environment. The wire frame used in many lanterns is not biodegradable and could be swallowed by animals. Animal rights activists also claim that birds can become entangled in the metal components, while larger animals may try to eat the remains.
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Fire hazards: Never use a candle lantern to look for things in a closet or fuel equipment
Candle lanterns are a fire hazard and should never be used to look for things in a closet or to fuel equipment. The National Candle Association recommends using flashlights or other battery-powered lights instead during a power outage. Candles should also never be used as a night light or when you may fall asleep.
Candles should always be kept out of the reach of children and pets, and placed in a safe location where they cannot be knocked over. It is important to never leave a burning candle unattended and to always ensure it is completely extinguished before leaving the room. The safest way to extinguish a candle is to use a candle snuffer, which prevents hot wax from splattering.
To ensure safe burning, it is recommended to trim the wick to 1/4 inch before lighting a candle. Long or crooked wicks can cause uneven burning, dripping, or flaring. It is also important to keep the wax pool clear of any debris and to always use a heat-resistant candle holder that is large enough to contain any wax drips.
Additionally, candles should not be burned for longer than four hours at a time and should be allowed to cool for at least two hours before relighting. It is also important to avoid drafts, vents, or air currents, as these can cause rapid or uneven burning, sooting, and excessive dripping.
When a candle burns down to the last inch, it can become a fire hazard as the wax around it melts. Therefore, it is important to discontinue burning and put the candle out before it reaches this point.
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Safety: Always use a candleholder designed for candle use, and keep candles away from children and pets
When using candles, it is important to prioritise safety. A key step is to always use a candleholder designed for candle use. This is because the candleholder must be heat resistant, sturdy, and large enough to contain any wax drips or melted wax. Antique lanterns, for example, were designed with a metal grid to protect the candle during transportation and to avoid excess heat from the top, thus preventing fires. Similarly, modern candleholders should be designed to protect the candle and prevent fires.
It is also crucial to keep candles away from children and pets. Candles should be kept out of their reach and placed where they cannot be knocked over. This is especially important as candles can pose a fire hazard if they burn down too low and cause the surrounding wax to melt. Therefore, it is recommended to discontinue burning a candle when there is still a margin of wax remaining in the container, typically 1/2 inch for container candles and 2 inches for pillar candles.
To ensure safety, it is important to follow manufacturer recommendations on burn time and proper use. In general, candles should not burn for longer than four hours and should be allowed to cool for at least two hours before relighting. Before burning, the wick should be trimmed to 1/4 inch to prevent uneven burning, dripping, or flaring. Additionally, it is important to keep the wax pool clear of any wick trimmings, matches, or debris.
When lighting a candle, use long matches or a long-reach lighter, and be mindful to keep hair and loose clothing away from the flame. Always extinguish a candle if the flame becomes too high or flickers repeatedly. To extinguish the candle safely, use a candle snuffer to prevent hot wax from splattering. Never use water, as it can cause the hot wax to splatter and potentially break a glass container. Always ensure the candle is completely out and the wick ember is no longer glowing before leaving the room.
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Extinguishing: Use a candle snuffer to prevent hot wax from splattering. Never use water
When extinguishing a candle lantern, it's important to prioritise safety and avoid potential hazards. Here are some detailed instructions to effectively extinguish a candle lantern:
Firstly, it is recommended to use a candle snuffer to prevent hot wax from splattering. Candle snuffers are designed to safely extinguish candles, especially those in deep containers or lanterns where the wick is hard to reach. To use a candle snuffer, slowly lower the bell of the snuffer (the small metal cup at the end of the long handle) over the wick. Ensure that the flame is fully enclosed by the snuffer, depriving it of oxygen and gradually stifling it. Hold the snuffer in place for a few seconds to ensure the flame is completely extinguished. This method minimises smoke and preserves the candle's fragrance.
It is important to never use water to extinguish a candle lantern. Water can cause the hot wax to splatter, potentially leading to burns or damage to nearby objects. Additionally, water can cause a glass container to break, creating a dangerous situation.
Always ensure the candle is completely extinguished and the wick ember is no longer glowing before leaving the room. Do not touch or move the candle until it has cooled down completely.
Another method to extinguish a candle is by blowing it out. However, this can result in a plume of thick smoke and may cause hot wax to splatter, leading to potential burns or mess. If blowing out the candle, create a thin stream of air to extinguish the flame in one quick gust. Stand clear of the smoke to avoid depositing soot on your skin or clothes.
As a general safety precaution, keep candles out of the reach of children and pets. Always follow manufacturer recommendations on burn time and proper use, and ensure you are using a heat-resistant candle holder that can contain any wax drips or melted wax.
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LED alternatives: Modern lanterns are often battery-powered, which is safer than candles, especially for young people
Lanterns are a great way to light up a room or outdoor space, but traditional candle lanterns come with a set of risks. Lanterns with an open flame can be dangerous, especially for young people and children. The National Candle Association recommends keeping candles out of the reach of children and pets, and to never leave a burning candle unattended. Candle lanterns can be knocked over, causing fires or wax burns, and the hot wax can splatter and cause injury.
Modern lanterns often use LED lights and batteries, removing these risks. Battery-powered lanterns are safer sources of light during power failures and outages. They can be placed anywhere without the risk of fire or burning, and there is no hot wax to cause injury. LED lanterns are also lightweight and portable, making them ideal for outdoor adventures, camping, and hiking. Many are small enough to fit in your pocket or backpack and can be hung up or placed on a tabletop.
Battery-powered lanterns are convenient and often feature adjustable brightness settings, from a soft glow to high brightness. Some have a candle flicker mode, which creates a similar ambiance to a real candle. Others have fun features like party mode, where the lantern cycles through different light colors. The best lanterns have long-lasting battery life, with some lasting over four hours on the highest setting.
When choosing a battery-powered lantern, consider the lumens, bulb wattage, and battery life. Look for lanterns with rechargeable batteries and high weatherproof and brightness ratings. The BioLite AlpenGlow 500, for example, has a battery life of 5.1 hours and offers a candle flicker mode. The Goal Zero Crush Light Chroma has impressive battery life and is a good solar-powered option.
LED lanterns are a safer alternative to candle lanterns, especially for young people and families with children. They offer convenience, portability, and peace of mind, without compromising on style or ambiance.
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Frequently asked questions
When the candle or wax fuel cell in a sky lantern burns out, the lantern gently falls back to the ground. However, there are some safety concerns associated with sky lanterns. The lantern could catch fire if it is tilted by the wind or collides with an object. Some countries and states have banned sky lanterns due to fire risks and the potential danger to wildlife.
Sky lanterns are typically made from thin paper shells, with an opening at the bottom for air to escape. In China, Taiwan, and Thailand, sky lanterns are traditionally made from oiled rice paper on a bamboo frame. In Brazil and Mexico, they are made from several patches of bright, translucent paper glued together.
Modern lanterns often use electric lights or batteries as a source of light, rather than candles. LED lanterns, for example, are safer than candle lanterns, especially for young people and in tents.
