Diwali diyas: 12 inches from anything that burns, and out before bed

The 12-inch rule, for diyas

The number comes from candle guidance. NFPA and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) both say to keep candles at least 12 inches from anything that can burn. A diya, the small oil-wick lamp lit for Diwali, is the same kind of open flame. [S1] [S3] [S7]

Fire services that write for Diwali apply it to diyas by name. Loudoun County’s Fire Marshal’s Office in Virginia says to place diyas and candles firmly in a sturdy holder on a heat-resistant surface, and to keep flames a safe distance from curtains, furniture, decorations and loose clothing. London Fire Brigade lists curtains, papers, furniture and clothes as things to keep them away from. [S4] [S6]

Our Halloween candle guide explains where the 12 inches comes from and how to check a jack-o’-lantern. This page is about the lamps, places and clothing that come with Diwali.

Why it matters

NFPA’s figures for 2020 to 2024: U.S. fire departments went to an estimated 5,894 home fires a year that started with candles, with an average of 63 civilian deaths and 532 injuries a year. [S1]

The causes are the reason for this page. Over half of those candle fires started when something that can burn, such as curtains, decorations, paper, bedding or clothing, was too close to the flame. In 21%, the candle was left unattended, discarded or otherwise misused. [S1]

Bedtime matters too. NFPA says 36% of candle fires started in a bedroom, and sleep was a factor in 11% of candle fires but 34% of candle fire deaths. [S1]

Check a spot

Pick where a diya is going and enter the gap, in inches, to the nearest thing that can burn. A curtain, a garland, a paper lantern, a cushion or someone’s dupatta all count.

The tool only compares your number with 12 inches and adds the matching source tip. It can’t see the spot, and it saves nothing.

Where diyas go, spot by spot

• Windowsills. NFPA’s religious candle tip sheet says lit candles shouldn’t go in windows where a blind or curtain could catch fire. If the curtain can’t be tied back past 12 inches, pick another spot. [S2]
• Floors, steps and doorways. Low lamps sit where feet, hems and small children pass. Our reading of the fire service advice on loose clothing and on keeping escape routes clear: put floor diyas beside the doorway, not in it. [S4] [S5]
• Shrines and puja tables. NFPA says candles on or near tables, altars or shrines must be watched by an adult. Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service suggests using only enough ghee for a diya to last your puja. [S2] [S5]
• A lamp that has to keep burning. NFPA says it should be enclosed in a glass container and placed in a sink, on a metal tray or in a deep basin filled with water. Loudoun County gives the same advice for diyas. [S2] [S4]
• Not in a closet. Loudoun County says closets don’t give enough space for open flames. [S4]
• Not too close together. Greater Manchester says to avoid burning candles and diyas close together, because the flames may flare, and to keep them out of drafts. [S5]
• On something that takes heat. London Fire Brigade says tea lights get very hot and, without proper holders, can melt through plastic surfaces like a TV. A metal tray or a ceramic plate under a clay diya is our suggestion. [S6]

Saris, dupattas and long sleeves

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service puts it plainly in its Diwali advice: clothing ignites quicker than you think. It says to tie back scarves and long sleeves, and to be careful in long items such as saris, chunris, chunis and dupattas. [S5]

Our suggestion: light and tend lamps with the loose end of a dupatta or pallu tucked or pinned, and reach over a diya only from the side.

If clothes do catch fire, London Fire Brigade’s advice is stop, drop, roll: don’t run around, which makes the flames worse; lie down on the ground at once; and roll, which makes it harder for the flames to spread. [S6]

Kids and pets

NFPA’s religious candle tip sheet says candles should be out of reach of children and pets, and young children should never hold a lit candle. It suggests battery-operated candles for children, and says a parent should decide when a child is mature enough to light one with an adult watching. [S2]

It also says to keep matches and lighters out of children’s reach, in a locked cabinet. London Fire Brigade adds lighters and matches to the out-of-reach list too. [S2] [S6]

Out before bed

Every source here says the same thing. USFA: blow out candles when you leave a room or the home, or go to bed. Loudoun County: diyas and candles must be watched by an adult, and put out before you leave a room and before you go to bed. London Fire Brigade: never leave them unattended, and this includes diya lamps. [S3] [S4] [S6]

Incense too. Greater Manchester says to put out burning incense when you leave the room or go to sleep, and to double check it is out and not still smoldering. [S5]

Our suggestion: name one person as the last one up, and have them walk every room, the porch and the shrine before lights out.

Flameless and electric diyas

USFA suggests battery-operated flameless candles, and London Fire Brigade calls flameless LED candles a much safer alternative that you can leave unattended. Greater Manchester suggests swapping candles and diyas for battery-operated LED tea lights. [S3] [S5] [S6]

Two cautions. Our Halloween candle guide covers the coin battery door on flameless candles and remotes. And for string lights, Greater Manchester says to use only weatherproof lighting outdoors, and to check cables, plugs and sockets for damage such as exposed wires, melted plastic, scorch marks or sparks. [S5]

Smoke alarms, an extinguisher and a way out

NFPA’s tip sheet says a home should have smoke alarms on every level, outside each sleeping area and inside each bedroom, tested at least monthly and replaced at 10 years. Greater Manchester suggests an extra alarm in the rooms where you burn diyas. Our smoke alarm guide explains the chirps. [S2] [S5]

NFPA also says to plan and practice a home escape drill with two ways out of every room. With guests over, Greater Manchester says to keep exits clear of decorations, shoes and coats, and to tell guests how to get out. [S2] [S5]

Our fire extinguisher guide covers the label and how to use one, and the space heater guide covers the other heat source in a lot of homes on a cold November night.

Before you light the first diya

Quick answers