PickGlobe
Candles are bought as gifts and for atmosphere, but the safety advice is simple and often forgotten. This guide covers what the US Fire Administration says about candle safety, and what to check on a candle listing before you order. It covers US advice only, and this is general information.
This guide is based on the public source listed below. We have not tested any candle or store. For perfume and scent, see our guide to buying fragrance online.
What the US Fire Administration advises
Source: US Fire Administration, "Candle fire safety". Last checked: 17 October 2026.
- Keep candles at least 12 inches from anything that can burn.
- Avoid lit candles in bedrooms, bathrooms and other sleeping areas.
- Use sturdy holders and put candles where they will not be knocked over.
- Blow candles out when you leave the room or the home, or go to bed.
- Battery-operated flameless candles are an alternative, and flashlights are the safer choice in a power cut.
The page cites the National Fire Protection Association as saying about 20 home candle fires are reported each day, without giving a year.
What to check on a listing
- The container. Look for the size and material, and whether a holder or lid is included.
- Printed warnings. The label should carry burn and placement warnings. Photos of the label help.
- Burn time and wax weight. Treat burn time as the maker's claim. We have no source on how it is measured, so compare weights and sizes rather than hours.
- Standards claims. US voluntary standards exist for candle fire safety and labeling, but they are voluntary, so "meets ASTM" is the maker's claim. We did not open those standards.
- Returns. Fragrance products are often not returnable once opened. Read the return policy, and check delivery for breakage.
- Gift use. If you are sending one as a gift, check the delivery date and gift wrapping options.
What we could not confirm
- Wax-type comparisons, burn-time testing methods and UK or EU candle rules (not read).
