Decorative and other oil lamps

The concern

Oil lamps are containers that sustain a flame by having a wick soaking in enclosed fuel oil. The fuel that is typically used in oil lamps is liquid paraffin. These lamps may be placed on shelves or tables, which could be accessible to a child. These lamps can serve as an alternative to traditional wax candles.

Image description

The image shows 3 different styles of oil lamps. The first is a decorative glass style. The second style is a glass replacement for tea lights. The third style is a metal insert for decorative containers.

These products pose flammability and toxicity hazards. They should be used with great care, particularly when children are in a household.

• Toxicity hazard: If a child can access an oil lamp in the home, they may ingest, inhale or aspirate the liquid fuel in the reservoir and this could lead to severe health effects, including death. Aspiration is when a liquid accidentally gets into the lungs and causes health problems such as pneumonia or suffocation. Learn more about household chemical safety.
• Flammability hazard: Adults need to be aware that when these lamps are used, they become a fire and burn hazard due to the open flame produced. Learn more about fire safety in your home.

Safety requirements

Oil lamps that are available for sale to consumers in Canada are subject to the Consumer Chemicals and Containers Regulations, 2001 under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act. The hazards posed by these products result in the requirement for special labelling on the reservoir of the lamp to indicate the dangers the lamp poses. Depending on the fuel used, the oil lamp may also be required to have a child-resistant closure because the fuel can pose a toxicity hazard.

If the container of fuel used to fill the reservoir is required to be child-resistant, then the lamp must be as well.

How best to choose products

Health Canada has found that some oil lamps sold in Canada do not meet safety requirements set out in the regulations. The regulations require that all regulated chemical products be labelled and packaged to clearly indicate what dangers the products pose. The regulations also require that this information be put on any empty container that is sold for the purpose of being filled with a hazardous chemical product (for example, the reservoir of an oil lamp).

Look for the following features in these products:

1. See if the bottle of fuel used to fill the reservoir has a child-resistant closure on it. If so, the oil lamp reservoir should have a child-resistant closure as well.
2. See if the oil lamp reservoir has a label. It should be similar to the label on the bottle of fuel used to fill the oil lamp.

Image description

Instructions showing that if the poison symbol appears on the refill bottle, the poison symbol should also appear on the oil lamp itself.

What you can do

• Never leave a burning oil lamp unattended.
• Avoid using decorative oil lamps with liquid fuel if you have children under the age of five in your household.
• If you choose to use this type of lamp, teach your children that these products are not toys, food or something to drink. If your child does access the liquid fuel, you should contact the nearest poison control centre or doctor immediately. People in Canada (other than Québec) can call 1-844-POISON-X, or 1-844-764-7669, to reach the nearest poison control centre. People in Québec can call 1-800-463-5060.
• When not in use, any product containing liquid fuels should be kept out of sight and reach of young children or be locked away.
• Only use oil lamps on stable surfaces, so they cannot be accidentally tipped over and spilled.
• Keep burning oil lamps out of reach of children and pets and burn them away from materials that can catch fire (like curtains, decorations and clothing).
• Read the labels on the fuel reservoirs and fuel bottles to be aware of the hazards posed by the liquid fuel. Be aware that if you bring oil lamps into Canada from other countries, they may not comply with Canadian safety requirements.
• Please see the candle safety tips for more information.

For more information

For further information, including information about product compliance, contact your nearest Health Canada Product Safety office by phone at 1-866-662-0666 (toll-free) or e-mail at cps-spc@hc-sc.gc.ca (please indicate the province or territory from which you are corresponding).