Overview

• An FOI request to UK fire services found 6,851 sleep-related incidents, including candle fires, since 2020.
• More than 1,000 candle-linked fires occur annually in the UK, with most from October to February and sleep cited in about 10% of cases.
• Experts report that paraffin and fragranced candles can emit VOCs and PAHs such as benzene, formaldehyde, naphthalene, anthracene and pyrene.
• A study of scented-candle users found 24.8% reported symptoms, including headaches (15.2%), shortness of breath (8.9%) and coughing (7.8%), with complaints rising after more than an hour of use.
• Guidance urges extinguishing candles before bed, improving ventilation and choosing soy, coconut or beeswax with essential oils, natural-fiber or wooden wicks and no synthetic dyes, while noting no established safe exposure thresholds.