Candles in RV?

[kelly94942]

I've always understood that burning candles in RVs is frowned upon - but why, exactly? Is there something inherently more dangerous about candles in an RV than in a house? I read something that they cause 1 - 2% of fires in RVs, and I don't know how that compares to the percentage they might cause in a house. Can anyone shed some light on this great mystery?

[the_bear_II]

The chance of a burning candle starting a fire in an RV is no worse than in a regular house. Burning candles start fires due to careless use.

It's not a propane or gas thing it's purely if the candle falls over or a curtain touches the flame or it's too close to another flammable source a fire may start.

We use candles all of the time in the RV and at Home. In the RV we use them to help save on battery power when boondocking. We will place candles in strategic locations to provide enough light to get around inside without stumbling.

[sharibartling]

I used to sell Scentsy wickless candles and warmers and quit when I retired this year. Thought about that but you have to unplug them for a while before you can leave again. They are safer I guess.

[RoyB]

I was always skittish about small animals running loose pets and mice or curtains blowing into the flame - maybe a wind gush knocks one over...

Just something we never leave unattended. We used open flame candles all the time back in the tent camping days as they also gave off alittle heat.

Now it is just the candle atmosphere we want to have sometimes. The little battery operated ones is our major night lite setup throughout the trailer. Some also have built-in timers. Others may be motion operated????

Nothing better then a flicker fire to sooth your brain waves...

as always this is what works for us and we enjoy the flicker type battery operated LED lights very much...

Roy Ken

[bukhrn]

rv2go wrote:
We may be in the minority, but we burn candles like this real often.

X-2, they are NOT burned going down the road, they are set somewhere that there is little to no possibility of them being knocked over, they are not left burning over night or when we're not in the MH, so I fail to see the danger vs burning them in a Stick & Brick. :h

[2oldman]

Burning candles, smoking, grease fires.. dangerous in any building.
The problem in RVs is mainly the soot from the candle flame, since it's a small space. SCVJeff already mentioned it.

[Go_Dogs]

kelly94942 wrote:
Sounds like maybe it's just that if an RV does catch on fire, the entire thing burns much more quickly than a home might. But no more inherent danger than burning a candle in a house?

Yeah, I would imagine an RV might burn faster-Plus, you got those propane bombs connected to it. Also, your neighbor at a CG might be a little closer than in a housing plan.
I use the battery operated candles-they even come with a timer.

[IAMICHABOD]

I don't always burn candles but when I do, I burn


Stay smokey my friends :B

[kelly94942]

Sounds like maybe it's just that if an RV does catch on fire, the entire thing burns much more quickly than a home might. But no more inherent danger than burning a candle in a house?

[robsouth]

So what exactly is the danger? I've burned scented candles for 30 years or so with no problem.

[Okie_in_Wyoming]

RoyB wrote:
We don't use candles but really have a whole bunch of flicker LED lights... Get the same atmosphere candles gives you but no unsafe conditions exists...

These things run a long long time on AA batteries...


Roy Ken

I use the same type of candles. I found some that are in a waxy finish, scented and the LEDs flicker. Unless you know they aren't real candles, you wouldn't guess it.

[RoyB]

We don't use candles but really have a whole bunch of flicker LED lights... Get the same atmosphere candles gives you but no unsafe conditions exists...

These things run a long long time on AA batteries...


Roy Ken

[rv2go]

We may be in the minority, but we burn candles like this real often.

[Sandia_Man]

DW loves using scented candles in our rig (and at home), I guess she never gave much thought if it was considered a no-no for RV use. They do get extinguished at bedtime or when we are away from the RV, but that's no different than when we are at our home. I'll mention this post to my DW, but I'm sure she will dismiss the 1%-2% risk and continue using them. It's your RV and if you like burning candles you should do it using general caution to prevent mishaps.

[SCVJeff]

Guess where all that wax goes into that tiny enclosed space?

[fla-gypsy]

1-2% of fires in RV's? heck I would be surprised if 1-2% of RV'ers burn candles. Go to YouTube and watch an RV fire and then think about what could happen.