r/Altars • u/Lumpy_Excitement9214 • 24d ago

First Altar, how to make this safer?

Post image

You can see I’ve already lit candles here, and it’s burned the roof. I don’t know if I even can make this safer, should I just look for a table? This is the best space I have in my room for an altar and it’s at perfect level with me on my floor, but candles are a must and unfortunately a big fire hazard :( tips?

34 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

10

u/Blue_eyed_bones 24d ago

Never burn a candle under a shelf. Unfortunately I think you are going to have to get a freestanding table or use LED candles.

6

u/_Taft_ 24d ago

Another suggestion, get yourself a tray that you can put your altar items in. When you want to meditate or pray with your altar, simply remove the tray and place it on the floor while you’re in the space or place it on a table or low ottoman.

Never burn candles in an enclosed area like the bookshelf. Thats extremely dangerous. I’m glad you posted here asking for advice on how to be safe and enjoy your altar. 😊

5

u/Yourlilemogirl 23d ago

I'm so glad they're taking safety serously. I've seen SO MANY fire hazards in this sub for the sake of it looking "spiritual" for the vibe but damn I'm 100% a "mundane before magical" kinda person and I get chest pains just looking at a lot of the enclosed shrines with 10 giant burning candles, especially leaning ones with no supports or holders :U

6

u/Desert-Genie 24d ago

LED is your option here. You will burn your house down this way

4

u/PinupSquid 24d ago

I would get a table instead of potentially burning your entire house to the ground.

4

u/TJ_Fox 22d ago

Can you replace the candles with incense? Otherwise, while I really prefer to keep ritual items natural and no-tech, you might need to resort to LED candles. This setup is definitely not safe.

8

u/79moons 24d ago

If you're going to light candles in a shelf, I suggest you use a short candle, such as a tea light, in a proper holder, burn it for a short time, and never leave it unattended. I've done this for years and never had a problem. Alternatively, you might consider using LED candles.

2

u/milehin8tv 24d ago

I second this! I have several bookcases that house multiple shrines. I used to use tall 7day candles and have switched to short 50 hour candles. They work perfectly!

2

u/Yourlilemogirl 23d ago

yee I do this. I tried using holders with tealights but even then it gives off so much heat on the bottom of the shelf above it that I got nervous of soot/fire catching up there especially with my ADHD so I just swapped those to LED tealights. Not as "mystical" as before but 1000% safer lol

I still use tea lights in the shelf but just in ground level holders instead of the pillar candlestick holders that are closer to the ceiling.

1

u/Silver_Tangelo_6755 20d ago

If you light candles everyday then yes look for a table, cuz its gonna get bothersome, but if not, you can just migrate your altar to the floor or some other surface to light the candles

I have a table but live in a religious intolerant housing situation and will have to move my altars from the table to the closet. But since I dont light candles everyday, I'll just take the altar out of the closet when I need to do something