Req 5c — Candle Safety

Candles are everywhere—in homes, churches, temples, restaurants, and campsites. Knowing how to use them safely, and being able to teach others, is a practical skill.

Lighting a Candle Safely

Step 1: Secure the candle

Place the candle in a stable holder (not a cup or container that could tip over). The holder should sit on a flat, level surface away from edges or anything someone might bump into.

Step 2: Check the surroundings

Look around the candle: Is there anything flammable within 12 inches? Curtains, paper, fabric, dry branches, dried flowers? If yes, move one or the other. Ideally, a candle should be in a room with good air circulation but not in a drafty location where wind will blow the flame sideways.

Step 3: Use a lighter or match

Hold the lighter or match to the wick and apply flame until the wick catches fire. For matches, light the match first, then bring it to the wick (not the other way around). Hold the match or lighter steady for a few seconds to ensure the wick is fully ignited.

Step 4: Wait a moment

Once lit, let the candle burn for 30 seconds to ensure the flame is stable. The wick should stand upright with a steady flame, not flickering violently or smoking heavily.

Step 5: Trim the wick

If you notice the wick is longer than ¼ inch, or if the candle is smoking, blow out the candle, wait for it to cool slightly, then trim the wick. Trim it with scissors or a wick trimmer to about ¼ inch above the wax.

Extinguishing a Candle Safely

Method 1: Blowing

Simply blow steadily at the flame. The air disrupts the combustion reaction, and the flame goes out. Most candles extinguish easily with a gentle to moderate blow. You don’t need to blast it.

Method 2: Using a wick dipper

Some candle holders come with a metal wick dipper. Dip the hot wick into the melted wax (which cools it) and immediately pull it back up. This extinguishes the flame without smoke.

Method 3: Snuffing

A candle snuffer is a small metal cone on a handle. Place the cone over the flame (without touching the candle) to smother it. This produces less smoke than blowing.

What NOT to do:

• Do not use water to extinguish a candle. Hot wax and cold water together can splatter hot wax.
• Do not blow out the candle so forcefully that hot wax splatters.
• Do not try to extinguish the candle by blowing and then immediately touching it. The wick is extremely hot and will burn you.
• Do not tip the candle to blow it out if wax is near the edge (risk of wax spilling).

Discussing Candle Safety with Others

As a Scout, you’ll often teach skills to younger Scouts. Use these talking points when discussing candles:

With your family:

• Agree on where candles are allowed in your home (maybe only in the living room, never in bedrooms).
• Establish a rule: candles are never left unattended. If you’re leaving the room, blow it out.
• Talk about who is allowed to light candles (maybe only adults, or older teens with supervision).
• Agree that if someone smells smoke from a candle, they blow it out immediately and tell an adult.
• If you use candles during power outages, agree to keep them away from flammable items and never leave them lit if anyone is sleeping.

With younger Scouts (if teaching):

• Start with the basic rule: “Never leave a candle burning if an adult isn’t nearby.”
• Demonstrate the proper way to light and extinguish.
• Have them practice lighting and extinguishing under your supervision.
• Make it clear that candles are tools, not toys. Respect the flame.
• Teach them what to do if a candle tips over: back away and get an adult.

Candle Safety at Camp

Candles at camp are less common than at home, but they appear in lanterns or during special programs.

• Only light candles if authorized by camp leadership.
• Never light candles inside tents. Camp stoves and lanterns are designed for enclosed spaces; candles are not.
• Use enclosed lanterns rather than open candles in windy outdoor settings.
• Always keep a water source nearby when using any flame at camp.

Now let’s move to a practical task: inspecting your home for fire hazards.