How to Use Candles for Emergency Light

Avoid leaving a lit candle unattended.

For many families, preparing for a weather emergency -- a heavy snowstorm or rainstorm, for example -- includes having candles and matches on hand. Flashlights are generally preferable to candles, as the City of Fairfax, Virginia, advises. If you must use candles during an emergency, follow safety precautions.

Things You'll Need

• Smoke detectors
• Candle holders
• Matches
• Flashlight
• Fire extinguisher

Instructions

1. Test your smoke detectors before using candles for emergency lighting. Replace the batteries if needed. About half of all residential fire-related deaths occur in homes that have no working smoke detectors, according to the City of Fairfax.

2. Put your candles in sturdy candle holders that are made of noncombustible material, such as glass. The candles should fit snugly. Try to use candle holders that have glass chimneys.

3. Place the candle holders in a secure location before lighting them. Place them away from all combustible materials, such as curtains, blankets and papers. They should be away from the edges of tables and shelves and out of the reach of small children and pets.

4. Extinguish all candles before leaving a room. Do not carry lit candles around your home. If you need a movable source of light, use a flashlight.

5. Check all rooms of your home for lit candles before leaving your home or going to sleep. Extinguish any that you find.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep a fire extinguisher within easy reach when you're using candles for emergency lighting.

References

• City of Fairfax, Virginia: Keep Fire Safety in Mind at All Times
• The Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council: Safety Tips for Emergency Lighting

Resources

• City of Fairfax, Virginia: Candle Safety