Candle Safety in a Power Outage: Rules That Prevent Fires

Candles cause house fires in outages. Learn safe holders, distances, rules for kids and pets, and better battery light options for the night.

Candles feel like the natural answer when the lights go out, but they are also a leading cause of home fires. During an outage you may be tired, moving around in the dark and distracted, which is exactly when a flame gets knocked over. Fire services generally recommend battery powered lights first and candles only as a last resort.

If you do use candles, use these rules. Check your local fire service for detailed guidance in your area.

Choose battery light first

Flashlights, headlamps and LED lanterns are safer, brighter and cheaper to run than candles. Keep one in every bedroom and one in the kitchen. Our guides on headlamps and lanterns and emergency lighting options compared explain the choices. Battery operated flameless candles give a candle glow with no fire risk, and they suit bedrooms and kids' rooms.

If you must use candles

• Use sturdy, stable holders made of non-flammable material such as metal, glass or ceramic, large enough to catch dripping wax.
• Place candles on a flat, level surface away from edges, so they cannot be knocked over.
• Keep flames at least 30 centimetres (1 foot) away from anything that can burn, including curtains, paper, bedding, decorations and furniture.
• Keep them away from drafts, fans and heat vents, which can make a flame flare or move.
• Light only a few. More candles means more risk, and there is no need to light a room like a cathedral.
• Trim wicks short, and never use a candle with a damaged jar or cracked holder.

Never leave a flame unattended

An adult should always be in the room with any burning candle. Put it out when you leave, even for a minute, and always before sleeping. Do not carry a lit candle through the house. Use a flashlight to walk around. Do not use candles in bedrooms at night, and do not fall asleep while one is lit. Set a reminder if you need to, or assign one person to check all flames before bed.

Kids and pets

Keep candles out of reach of young children and pets, and make sure kids know never to touch matches or lighters. Cats and dogs may knock a candle over with a tail or a paw. If you have little ones, rely on battery lights only (see entertaining kids during an outage and pets in a power outage).

Other flame risks

Do not use candles in a garage, or near gas leaks. If you smell natural gas or propane, do not light anything. Leave the house, then call your gas provider or emergency number from a safe distance. Lanterns that burn kerosene, oil or fuel are not meant for indoor use unless specifically designed for it, and they can create carbon monoxide. Never use a barbecue, camp stove or charcoal inside. See carbon monoxide safety in a power outage.

Keep a working smoke alarm on every level. Check the battery before storm season, since many alarms in your home may be wired to mains power and could stop working in an outage unless they have battery backup.

Have a fire plan

Keep a fire extinguisher near the kitchen and know how to use it. If a candle starts a fire that is not small and contained, do not fight it. Get everyone out, close the door behind you if you can, and call emergency services from outside. Make sure the family knows two ways out of every room and a meeting place outside.

For matches and lighters, store them in a known place, up high and out of reach of children, but easy for adults to find in the dark. A small tin with a few tea lights, holders and matches takes little space and gives you a backup when batteries run out. Still, make batteries your main plan, and stock extras. See our heat and light hub for more ideas.

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