Candle Safety During the Holidays

As the holidays approach, many of our blogs may reference candles, candle holders, and projects involving these illuminated items. In preparation for the holidays, I wanted to take a moment to talk about candle safety. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, more than fifteen thousand homes experience a fire as a result of a candle each year. That means that 42 homes a day report a candle fire, with many more going unreported because homeowners are quick on their feet with their reaction times.

While beautiful, candles do have an open flame and when you use candles in your home, they should never be left unattended. If the risk of a candle fire worries you, there are many different alternatives to using traditional candles that still offer all the illumination and beauty.

Christmas Lights in a Birdcage

Flameless Candles
Flameless Candles are more and more popular, now readily available at most big box stores. These candles are battery operated and have a small light that looks much like a natural flame, especially in a flickering mode. Flameless candles are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, ranging from tea lights up to tall pillar candles.

These candles are not much more expensive than other pillar candles, especially when you think about the fact that they never burn down so they rarely need to be replaced. When the battery runs out, simply replace it with another battery and enjoy the safe flicker of light. You can use these candles anywhere you would use a traditional candle, including inside hurricanes, in candlesticks, and tucked inside votive holders.

String Lights
What we love about candles is the light that they cast. You can get that same illumination without the danger by using string lights instead of candles in your holiday decorating. Try placing a battery operated strand of Christmas lights inside a birdcage, lantern, or even a tall cylinder vase or apothecary jar.

This is a beautiful example of how these strands of lights can add stunning beauty to the inside of vessels and decorative pieces that you may already have decorating your mantle or ledge. I personally love how this birdcage has been turned on it’s side.

Above all, make sure that when you do use candles, you make sure that there is nothing in close proximity that can catch fire. Ribbons, fabrics, synthetic florals, wooden elements, and many other decorative elements are commonly used to dress up candlesticks and vases. Don’t hesitate to do these fun DIY projects at home, but when you do make sure to trade out the candles for flameless varieties. Have a beautiful and safe holiday season.