Candle Safety
- Extinguish all candles when leaving the room or going to sleep
- Keep candles away from items that can catch fire, including clothing, books, paper, curtains, Christmas trees, and flammable decorations
- Use candle holders that are sturdy, won't tip over easily, are made from a material that can't burn, and are large enough to collect dripping wax
- Don't place lit candles in windows where blinds and curtains can close over them
- Place candle holders on a sturdy, uncluttered surface that are not in places where children or pets can knock them over.
- Keep candles and all open flames away from flammable liquids
- Keep candle wicks trimmed to a quarter of an inch
- Extinguish taper and pillar candles when they get to within two inches of the holder or decorative materials
- Extinguish votives and containers before the last half an inch of wax starts to melt
- Avoid candles with items embedded in them
- During power outages:
- Try to avoid carrying a lit candle
- Don't use a lit candle to search for things in a confined space
- Do not use a candle for a light when checking pilot lights or fueling equipment such as kerosene heaters or lanterns because the flame may light the fumes
Contact
For more information about candle safety, contact the Fire Department at 617-972-6512.