Understanding the Label

Closeup view of woman hands choosing festive decorative candles for Christmas or New Year celebration

Understanding Candle Safety Labels

Candles may look simple, but behind every safe candle is thoughtful design and clear labeling. Here’s how to read and understand those labels to keep your home safe.

Why Labels Matter

  • Candle safety starts with the label.
  • Reputable manufacturers follow strict fire-safety standards you can’t see—but the label shows they’re doing it right.
  • Always read the cautionary label before lighting a candle.

What to Look For on the Label

Every candle should include a cautionary label or tag with three key safety rules:

  1. Burn Within Sight
  2. Keep Away from Combustibles
  3. Keep Away from Children

* Many labels also include manufacturer-specific guidance for safe burning.

If There's No Label...

  • Be cautious! A missing label may mean the candle doesn’t meet safety standards.
  • Avoid candles without proper labeling—they may lack other important fire-safety features

The Look of Candle Fire Safety

These graphic icons are becoming standard worldwide. Learn to spot them:

Burn Within Sight

Keep Away from Combustibles

Keep Away from Children

*To download and view the EPS versions as linked above, you must have the required version of the Adobe Reader software.