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Candles, Incense and Oil Burners for a Relaxing Atmosphere: Fire Safety Advice and the Case for Flameless Candles
Candlelight is one of the most familiar ways to create a relaxing atmosphere, whether for an evening bath, a quiet read or a wind-down routine. Fire services in the UK are equally familiar with the risks, and their advice is consistent: enjoy the glow, but treat every flame with care. This guide sets out the advice from London Fire Brigade and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, and explains why both suggest flameless candles as an alternative.
Why fire services are cautious about candles
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service acknowledges that candles can help create a cosy glow in the house, but points out that they are not an efficient way of heating a room and can have a devastating impact if used incorrectly. It states that around 30% of fires started by candles and attended by fire and rescue services result in death or injury. That statistic is Merseyside’s own figure for the fires it describes, and it underlines why the practical steps below are worth following every time.
The flameless alternative
London Fire Brigade says flameless LED candles, also called battery-operated or electric candles, are a much safer alternative to real candles or tea lights. It lists the advantages:
- they can be left unattended;
- there is no need to worry about pets or children knocking them over;
- if the user dozes off while one is on, it is not a problem;
- they can be used outdoors; and
- flickering, rechargeable, coloured and waterproof versions can be bought.
Merseyside likewise says the safest way to enjoy candles is to use LED battery-operated ones, adding a note that batteries should be out of the reach of children and pets. For a relaxation routine that ends with sleepiness, such as a warm bath followed by a book, a flameless candle removes the biggest worry, which is drifting off with a flame still burning. The site’s guide to timed evening wind-down routines has ideas for building that kind of routine.
If real candles are your choice
London Fire Brigade’s advice for candles, incense sticks and oil burners is:
- never leave them unattended, which includes diya lamps used for worship and festivals;
- put them out when leaving the room, and especially before bed;
- keep them in heat-resistant holders on a stable surface;
- keep them away from anything that can catch fire, such as curtains, papers, furniture and clothes; and
- keep candles and all naked flames, including matches and lighters, out of the reach of children and pets.
The Brigade also warns that tea lights get very hot and, without proper holders, can melt through plastic surfaces such as a TV or a bath. That last point is a reminder that the popular bath-side candle needs a proper heat-resistant holder placed where it cannot be knocked into the water or onto plastic.
Merseyside’s extra tips
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service’s list adds several practical points:
- do not burn several candles close together, as this might cause the flame to flare;
- do not use candles in bedrooms or anywhere you might fall asleep;
- never leave lit candles unattended, and make sure they are out completely at night;
- do not move candles once they are lit;
- avoid using candles when tired or drinking;
- burn candles in a well-ventilated room, out of drafts, vents or air currents, which helps prevent rapid or uneven burning, soot and dripping;
- always put scented candles in a heat-resistant holder, because they are designed to liquefy when heated to maximise fragrance; and
- do not light candles with matches, which avoids the risk of double wicking.
Festival and celebration times
London Fire Brigade adds that celebrations such as Diwali, Bonfire Night, Halloween, Hanukkah and Christmas can see more candles lit, costumes worn and decorations displayed, increasing the risk of fire, so decorations should be kept well away from naked flames.
Smoke alarms and an escape plan
Merseyside advises fitting smoke alarms and testing them monthly, saying that a working alarm can buy valuable time to get out, stay out and call 999. It also recommends that everyone in the home knows what to do if a fire occurs and practises their escape route. London Fire Brigade offers a home fire safety checker tool on its page, and Merseyside offers free fire safety advice and home fire safety checks to its residents.
Scented and aromatic options
People who like scent as part of relaxation can note that the advice applies equally to oil burners and incense, which London Fire Brigade lists alongside candles. The site’s guide to aromatherapy for relaxation covers the essential oil side.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to leave a candle burning while I take a bath? The fire services’ advice is never to leave candles unattended and to put them out when leaving the room, so a real candle is a poor fit for a long soak; a flameless candle is the alternative London Fire Brigade suggests.
Can I use candles in the bedroom? Merseyside says not to use candles in bedrooms or anywhere you might fall asleep, and London Fire Brigade says to put them out before bed.
Are tea lights safer because they are small? London Fire Brigade says tea lights get very hot and, without proper holders, can melt through plastic surfaces.
The bottom line
Candlelight can be part of a calm evening, but both London Fire Brigade and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service advise never leaving flames unattended, using heat-resistant holders on a stable surface, keeping flames away from anything flammable and avoiding candles where sleep might follow. Flameless LED candles give a similar glow without those risks and are the option both services point to first.
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