Is It Ever Safe to Leave a Candle Burning If You Leave the Room? How about just for a minute... Close Credit: Liudmila Chernetska / Getty Images You might plan to pop out and right back in, so is it really worth having to strike another match? Well, you're certainly not alone if you have ever been tempted to leave a scented candle burning while unattended—but should you really walk away? How long is too long? Before you walk away from a burning candle, here's what safety experts want you to know. Jonny Smith, fire safety expert at Crusader Fire, provider of fire risk assessments, safety training courses, and equipment Jonathan Espinoza, Kord Fire Protection S.E. Carter, candlemaker and founder of Chaos Candle Company, a deaf-owned business creating visually appealing handcrafted candles Justin Ruff, founder of Justin Ruff Candle Co., an artist-led home fragrance brand inspired by scent and sound How to Clean Dust Off Candles So They Always Look and Smell Great Is It Ever Safe to Leave a Candle Unattended? Even if only for a few minutes, it is not a risk you should take, warns Jonathan Espinoza from Kord Fire Protection. “Especially near the holidays, that's when we hear and see stories about décor, pets, or even guests accidentally placing, moving or dropping things near a candle without noticing, and then fire spreads.” In fact, no amount of time is okay to leave a flame alone. "A candle can flare up or get knocked over before you’ve even realized,” cautions fire safety expert Jonny Smith. "We’ve seen fires start from something as small as a bit of wax dripping onto a coaster. If you’re not in the room, blow it out—it’s as simple as that." If you have to leave a room for a few minutes, Espinoza recommends using the candle’s lid to deprive it of oxygen and kill the fire. “Leaving a candle unattended can be a disaster,” he repeats. “Put it out.” Candle Safety Guidelines and Best Practices Here's what the top fire safety and candle experts suggest when it comes to burning scented candles safely. 01 of 08 Always Trim Your Wick Always trim your wick to a quarter-inch before lighting. “Untrimmed wicks create larger and hotter flames that can shatter the candle glass and cause flames to spread,” warns Justin Ruff, founder of Justin Ruff Candle Co. “You also want to make sure you dispose of the trimmings, because leaving them in the wax can create its own fire hazard.” 02 of 08 Keep Them Isolated Keep burning candles at least one foot away from anything that can burn, such as curtains, papers, or even the edges of a shelf. “You’d be surprised how many fires start from candles placed on windowsills with drapes nearby,” Smith says. 03 of 08 Take Extra Precaution Around Kids and Pets “Pets and kids change the game completely,” Smith warns. “A wagging tail or a curious hand is all it takes.” Both children and pets can reach an open flame quickly—often before you notice. “For that reason, it’s best to keep candles up in sturdy places where it cannot be reached nor dropped easily,” Espinoza says. 04 of 08 Don't Burn for Long Periods As a rule of thumb, you shouldn’t burn your candle for more than three or four hours per period. "The longer your container or the wax can start to overheat can greatly increase the risk of the glass cracking," Espinoza warns. "It’s better to just wait and let the candle cool fully before you light it again." 05 of 08 Never Move a Lit Candle The jar of a lit candle can get terribly hot. “Always extinguish and allow it to cool before moving,” Ruff says. Understanding the Different Types of Candle Wax, From Beeswax to Soy 06 of 08 Don’t Use the Candle Completely Try to avoid burning the candle all the way to the bottom if it’s in a jar. “The glass can crack or even pop if it gets too hot,” warns Smith. 07 of 08 Have the Proper Tools In Case of a Fire Always have smoke alarms and an easily accessible fire extinguisher, all in working order, suggest Espinoza. “If anything goes wrong, you can hear and put it out before it spreads,” he says. 08 of 08 Choose Flame-Free Alternatives Love your scented candles but looking for a flame-free alternative? S.E. Carter, candlemaker and the founder of Chaos Candle Company, recommends candle warmers so as you can still enjoy your favorites. Reed diffusers are another excellent option for people looking for a more subtle fragrance to scent entryways or bathrooms. “They are low-maintenance, stylish, and will typically last four to six months,” Ruff adds. Explore more: Home