Candle Safety Myths: What You Think You Know vs What Actually Matters

TL;DR

• Never leave a candle burning overnight or unattended.
• Trim wicks before each use to reduce soot, overheating, and uneven burning.
• Stop burning when about 1cm of wax remains in the jar for safety.

Why Candle Safety Still Matters

Candles have come a long way – especially those made with clean-burning waxes like soy, natural cotton wicks, and carefully formulated fragrance oils. But no matter how thoughtfully made a candle is, it’s still a live flame.

Every year, house fires start from unattended or improperly used candles. It’s rare – but preventable.

Tenfire candles are designed to be clean, slow-burning, and safe. But we always include safety guidance for a reason: knowing how to burn a candle properly helps it perform better and protects your space.

Let’s clear up some of the biggest misconceptions.

Myth #1: You Can Leave a Candle Burning Overnight

The truth: You should never leave a candle burning while you sleep or when you’re out of the room.

Even the most stable container candle carries risk. All it takes is a pet knocking something over, a draft blowing a curtain, or a candle that’s burned too low and overheats the glass.

Best practice:

• Extinguish candles before bed
• Never leave a room with an open flame unattended
• Set a timer or alarm if you like to burn candles for long periods

Founder’s note:
I always say: if you’re leaving the room, the candle goes out. Even in the studio, I follow that rule every time.

Myth #2: Candles Are Self-Extinguishing

The truth: No they’re not – and assuming they are is dangerous.

Some assume a candle will simply “burn out” when it hits a certain point or if the flame becomes unstable. But in reality, many candles will keep burning until:

• The wax pool gets too large and floods the wick
• The wick curls or mushrooms and produces a bigger flame
• The vessel overheats

All of these can be hazards if left unmanaged. Candles need human supervision – always.

How long exactly should you let a candle burn for? Read our blog exploring this.

Myth #3: You Don’t Need to Trim the Wick

The truth: Wick trimming is one of the easiest and most important ways to burn your candle safely.

When a wick is too long:

• The flame becomes unstable and tall
• It burns hotter, which can crack jars
• It produces excess soot
• The wax is consumed faster than intended

Trim to 5mm before each burn. You can use scissors or a proper wick trimmer. If you see a “mushroom” shape forming at the top of the wick, that’s your cue.

Tip: A trimmed wick also means a cleaner, more even burn – and a longer candle life.

Myth #4: Soot Means the Candle Is Bad Quality

The truth: Most soot comes from user error, not the candle itself. 

Soot happens when:

• The wick is too long
• The flame is flickering due to drafts
• You’ve burned the candle too long (past the 3–4 hour mark)

All Tenfire candles are made with soy wax and cotton wicks, which are naturally cleaner-burning than paraffin and zinc wicks. But any candle can smoke if used improperly.

What to do:

• Trim your wick
• Move the candle out of a draft
• Extinguish after 3–4 hours and let it reset

What candles are safe to burn?

Myth #5: It's Fine to Burn to the Bottom of the Jar

The truth: Always stop burning when about 1cm of wax remains at the bottom.

Why?

• The flame heats the jar base more directly, increasing risk of cracking
• Residual glue from wick stickers may ignite
• Metal wick holders (in mass-produced candles) can overheat

Tenfire candles are designed to burn cleanly down to their base, but we still recommend extinguishing when only a thin layer of wax remains. It’s safer – and makes a lovely excuse to start a new scent.

Here are some tips for lighting your candle for the first time.

Real-World Candle Safety Tips

These aren’t rules to scare you – they’re here to help you get the most from every candle.

Safe Burning Checklist:

• Place candles on a heat-resistant surface
• Keep away from children, pets, and curtains
• Burn for 1–4 hours at a time only
• Trim wick before each use
• Never move a candle while lit
• Ventilate your room after use

Wax Melt Safety:

• Use only in approved melt warmers
• Don’t add water or oils to the wax pool
• Never leave a burner unattended
• Let the burner cool fully before touching

Founder’s note:
At workshops, I often say: candle safety is candle care. It’s how you protect your space and make the most of your fragrance.

Final Thoughts

Candles are meant to bring comfort – not worry. When you follow a few simple rules, you can enjoy their warmth and scent with total peace of mind.

At Tenfire, we build safety into everything – from the shape of our wicks to the type of wax we use – but what matters most is how you burn them.

Light with intention, stay present, and make each flame part of a ritual that feels safe, grounding, and good.

— Dawn