Practice safe candle use.

Never leave a burning candle unattended.

• Use candle holders that:
  • Are sturdy.
• Will not over easily.
• Are made from a material that cannot burn.
• Are large enough to collect dripping wax.
• Place candle holders on a sturdy, uncluttered surface – away from edges and any place where they could be knocked over by children of pets.
• Light candles carefully. Keep your hair and loose clothing away from the flame.
• Keep candle wicks trimmed to one-quarter inch.
• Extinguish candles when they burn down to within two inches of their holder or any decorative material.
• Extinguish candles carefully. Do not leave the room until wicks have stopped glowing.
• Do not leave young children unattended in a room with a candle.

Candles and holidays

During December, there are nearly twice as many candle fires as are averaged during the other 11 months.

• Keep candles away from natural and artificial Christmas trees.
• Keep candles away from all holiday decorations.
• Place burning candles where they cannot be bumped of brushed against.
• Arrange table candles safely away from flammable centerpieces and hanging decorations.

During power outages

Avoid using candles for emergency lighting.

• If your electrical service goes out, use flashlights and battery-powered lamps, when possible.
• Do not carry lit candles.
• Do not use a candle for light when adding kerosene or any flammable fuel to a heater, lantern, or other device. The flame could ignite the fumes.
• Extinguish all candles when you leave the room or go to sleep.

Candles and children

• Supervise children who are in a room with burning candles.
• Store candles, matches, and lighters up high and out of children’s sight and reach.
• Do not allow children or teens to burn candles in their bedrooms.
• Do not let children play with candles or dripping wax – or with combustible material near candles.

Reducing the risk

• Never leave a burning candle unattended.
• Extinguish all candles when you leave the room or go to bed.
• NFPA discourages the use of candles in bedrooms and sleeping areas.
• Keep candles a least one foot from anything that can burn, like bedding, curtains and blinds, wallpaper, upholstered furniture, piles of clothing, newspapers, and magazines.
• Keep candles away from flammable liquids.

Place lit candles away from windows and doorways, where drafts could bring combustibles in contact with the flame.

This information is courtesy of the City of Santa Clarita's Emergency Management Office.