It's a cozy evening. You're curled up with a good book, the warm glow of scented candles filling the room, but you find yourself drowsy. So drowsy, in fact, that you really just want to go to bed, and the thought of taking even a second to blow out the candles makes you even sleepier.
You could just go to bed, and trust they’ll go out on their own, but your mother always told you to blow out a candle, or it will catch fire. As you sit there in that blissful space halfway between sleep and awake, you have a question.
What do you do? Do you get up and blow them out or surrender to your fatigue and hope everything turns out okay?
Well today, we're shedding light (pun most definitely intended) on this burning question, and sharing the safety tips you need to create a warm, inviting, and safe space for yourself and your loved ones.
To understand why, we need to first understand how: how do candles work? The answer is somewhat surprising, as a candle is a simple creation, made of nothing more than fuel and a pathway, the wax and wick, respectively.
When you light a candle, the heat from the flame melts the wax around the wick. This liquid wax travels up the wick through capillary action (the same way water climbs up a paper towel). As the wax reaches the flame, it vaporizes and combusts, creating the light and heat we associate with candles.
So, the flame is actually burning wax vapor, not the wick, and definitely not the solid wax. This is why you'll notice the wax level going down as the candle burns – the solid wax is melting and turning into vapor, fueling the flame.
Now that we have that out of the way, let’s look at the key question of whether you should blow out that candle, or just go to bed.
Well, the answer is... it depends. If left long enough, most candles will eventually put themselves out. They'll keep burning until they run out of wax or the wick becomes too short to sustain the flame. However, depending on the amount of fuel and the length of the wick, this could take hours.
And those hours can lead to fire hazards.
In 2023, an apartment complex in Washington, D.C. went up in flames because of an unattended candle, leaving 23 people without a place to live. That same year, another apartment complex in Charlotte, NC caught fire after an unattended candle flame spread, costing more than $1,000,000 in damages. In Michigan, a woman is potentially facing 15 years in prison after unattended candles caused a fire that killed her father.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports a staggering average of 16 home fires per day caused by candles. That's right, 16 homes or apartments are going up in flames every single day because someone forgot to blow out a candle or didn't take the necessary precautions.
It's not just fires we need to worry about either. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that nearly 1,100 candle-related injuries are treated in emergency rooms annually. These injuries range from minor burns to severe, life-altering damage.
And here's a chilling thought: December, the month filled with festive candlelight, is the peak time for home candle fires. It's a time when our homes are adorned with twinkling lights and fragrant candles, but it's also a time when we need to be extra vigilant about fire safety.
These statistics aren't just numbers on a page. They represent real people, real homes, and real tragedies. By understanding the risks and taking simple precautions, we can all do our part to ensure that our love for candles doesn't lead to heartbreak and devastation.
Now that we've explored the science of candles (and the hazards), let's get down to the nitty-gritty of candle safety. Here are some must-know tips to ensure you enjoy your candles safely:
There are also a couple of safety candles that can help provide you with the same benefit of a candle, but with minimized risk.
However, even with these, you should never rely on a candle to go out on its own. These are made in the event that something unexpected (such as falling asleep by accident) happens. Always snuff out your candles before leaving a room or going to bed. It's better to be safe than sorry!
If the idea of an open flame in your home makes you a bit nervous (and let's face it, after reading those fire statistics, who wouldn't be?), don't fret! There are plenty of flameless alternatives that offer the same cozy ambiance and delightful scents without any of the fire hazards.
These battery-operated wonders have come a long way. They're no longer those cheesy, plastic flickering lights of yesteryear. Today's flameless candles are incredibly realistic, with flickering LED "flames" that mimic the real deal. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, so you can find the perfect ones to match your decor.
Flameless candles are the ultimate worry-free option for homes with children, pets, or anyone who simply wants to enjoy candlelight without the stress of open flames. They're also perfect for places where real candles aren't allowed, like offices or dorm rooms.
If you're all about the fragrance, then candle warmers are your new best friend. These handy devices use a gentle heat source to melt scented wax, releasing its fragrance without the need for a flame. You can find warmers in various styles, from simple plug-in models to decorative ones that double as décor.
Candle warmers are not only safer than traditional candles, but they also make your scented wax last longer, since it's melted slowly rather than burned. Plus, there's no soot or smoke to worry about!
For those seeking a more natural approach to fragrance and ambiance, oil diffusers are a fantastic option. These devices disperse oils into the air, filling your space with calming or uplifting scents.
Some diffusers even have built-in lights to create a warm glow, further enhancing the cozy atmosphere. Oils offer a wide range of benefits, from stress reduction to improved sleep, making them a perfect complement to your flameless candles or candle warmers.
Whether you choose flameless candles, candle warmers, oil diffusers, or a combination of all three, you can create a warm, inviting, and safe environment in your home without the risk of fire.
Candles have been around for centuries, and their appeal hasn't dimmed (pun intended, again). They bring a unique ambiance to any space, casting a warm glow and releasing delightful scents. Candles are more than just sources of light, they're mood enhancers, stress relievers, and bring a touch of everyday luxury.
Whether you're lighting a fragrant candle to unwind after a long day or using candles to create a romantic atmosphere for a special occasion, there's no denying their power to transform a space and evoke emotions.
Candles can be a beautiful and relaxing addition to your home, but it's crucial to prioritize safety. By following these tips and using common sense, you can enjoy the warm glow of candlelight without any worries. Remember, a candle's flame may eventually flicker out on its own, but it's never worth the risk of leaving it unattended. So, go ahead and light your favorite candle, but always extinguish it before leaving the room or going to bed. Your home, and your peace of mind, will thank you.
