Candles

Remember: A candle is an open flame. It can easily ignite any flammable items nearby.

The South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) offers the following tips for the safe use of candles:

• Candles should only ever be used by adults.
• Make sure candles are placed in sturdy holders that will not tip over and place on a secure piece of heat-resistant furniture. Candle holders must be made of material that can not burn.
• Extinguish all candles when leaving a room or going to sleep.
• Keep the immediate area around a candle clear of all items. They should be kept well away from items that can catch fire, such as clothing, books, paper, curtains, Christmas trees and flammable decorations etc.
• Do not place lit candles in windows, where blinds or curtains can close over them.
• Keep candles and all open flames away from flammable liquids.
• Do not use candles in places where they can be knocked over by children or pets.
• Battery operated candles are a good and safe alternative to traditional candles.

Where Young Children are Present:

• Keep candles up high, out of reach of children.
• Never leave a child unattended in a room with a lit candle. A child should not sleep in a room with a lit candle.
• Keep all matches and lighters up high, out of the sight and reach of children, and preferably in a locked cabinet.

During Power Outages:

• Torches/flashlights and other lights generated by batteries are much safer light sources than candles.
• Wind up torches are available.
• Try to avoid carrying a lit candle.
• Don’t use a candle to go into confined spaces like a walk-in robe.
• Never use a candle for light when fuelling equipment, such as a kerosene heater or lantern as the flame may ignite the fumes.

Incense Sticks:

• Use incense stick trays to ensure that falling ash does not come into contact with flammable items.
• Keep burning incense sticks away from curtains and blinds.
• Do not leave incense sticks burning when you are asleep or out of the house.
• Keep burning incense sticks away from children and pets.
• Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children.

Download a PDF English version of this Home Fire Safety Fact Sheet  (PDF 396KB)

For further advice ring the Community Safety Department 8204 3611

Country callers 1300 737 637

e-mail samfscommunitysafety@sa.gov.au

or call in to 99 Wakefield Street, Adelaide during business hours.