Editing Candle (section)

==Hazards==
According to the [[National Fire Protection Association]], candles are a leading source of residential fires in the United States with almost 10% of civilian injuries and 6% of fatalities from fire attributed to candles.<ref>John Hall, NFPA 2009,  {{cite web|url=http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=2013-01-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727124011/http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files//PDF/Research/Fire_overview_2009.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-27 }}.</ref>

A candle flame that is longer than its laminar smoke point will emit [[soot]].<ref>K.M. Allan, J.R. Kaminski, J.C. Bertrand, J. Head, [[Peter B. Sunderland]], Laminar Smoke Points of Wax Candles, Combustion Science and Technology 181 (2009) 800–811.</ref> Proper wick trimming will reduce soot emissions from most candles.

The liquid wax is hot and can cause skin burns, but the amount and temperature are generally rather limited and the burns are seldom serious. The best way to avoid getting burned from splashed wax is to use a [[candle snuffer]] instead of blowing directly on the flame. A candle snuffer is usually a small metal cup on the end of a long handle. Placing the snuffer over the flame cuts off the oxygen supply. Snuffers were common in the home when candles were the main source of lighting before electric lights were available. Ornate snuffers, often combined with a taper for lighting, are still found in those churches which regularly use large candles.

Glass candleholders are sometimes cracked by thermal shock from the candle flame, particularly when the candle burns down to the end. When burning candles in glass holders or jars, users should avoid lighting candles with chipped or cracked containers and discontinue use once a half inch or less of wax remains.

A former worry regarding the safety of candles was that a [[lead]] core was used in the wicks to keep them upright in container candles. Without a stiff core, the wicks of a container candle could sag and drown in the deep wax pool. Concerns rose that the lead in these wicks would vaporize during the burning process, releasing lead vapors&nbsp;– a known health and developmental hazard. Lead core wicks have not been common since the 1970s. Today, most metal-cored wicks use [[zinc]] or a zinc [[alloy]], which has become the industry standard. Wicks made from specially treated paper and cotton are also available.

Candles emit [[volatile organic compound]]s into the environment, which releases carbon into the air.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-04-08 |title=10 Eco-Friendly Sustainable Candles For A Clean Burn - The Eco Hub |url=https://theecohub.com/eco-friendly-sustainable-candles/ |access-date=2022-11-07 |website=theecohub.com |language=en-US}}</ref> The combustion process of lighting a candle includes the release of light, heat, carbon dioxide and water vapor, to fuel the flame.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Candles: What do they emit when lit? |url=https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/student-contributors-you-asked-general-science/candles-what-do-they-emit-when-lit |access-date=2022-11-13 |website=Office for Science and Society |language=en}}</ref> Candle use can be unsafe if fragrances are inhaled at high doses<ref name="womenshealthmag.com">{{Cite web |date=2022-09-27 |title=You Need To Follow These Expert Tips To Make Sure You're Using Your Scented Candles Safely |url=https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a41352744/are-candles-bad-for-you/ |access-date=2022-11-13 |website=Women's Health |language=en-us}}</ref><ref name="theecohub.com">{{Cite web |date=2021-04-08 |title=10 Eco-Friendly Sustainable Candles For A Clean Burn - The Eco Hub |url=https://theecohub.com/eco-friendly-sustainable-candles/ |access-date=2022-11-13 |website=theecohub.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Non-toxic candles have been created as an alternative to prevent these volatile organic compounds from being released into the environment.<ref name="vogue.co.uk">{{Cite web |date=2020-05-12 |title=The Ultimate Guide To Non-Toxic Candles |url=https://www.vogue.co.uk/beauty/article/sustainable-candles |access-date=2022-11-13 |website=British Vogue |language=en-GB}}</ref> Candle companies such as "The Plant Project" have created candles that are more environmentally sustainable and better for lung health.<ref name="theecohub.com"/> These alternatives include non-toxic wax blends, safe fragrances and eco-friendly packaging.<ref name="vogue.co.uk"/> Safer candles include candles made from coconut, soy, vegetable, and beeswax.<ref name="womenshealthmag.com"/>

Users who seek the aesthetics of a candle sometimes install an electric [[flameless candle]] to avoid the hazards.