Using Candles at Reception with Grandfather on Oxygen

nire342

My grandfather uses oxygen so in his home so we do not light any candles there.  We were planning to have candles on the tables at our wedding reception and I'm wondering if anyone has any idea what the guidelines are around this.  If we use the LED candles on his table and all tables surrounding his table, can we use regular candles on the rest of the tables?  (Note that he is also in a wheelchair and will likely remain at his table for as long as he's at the reception-- probably just for dinner.)  The reception space is quite large-- we are having over 200 guests-- so I'm wondering if there are any guidelines around the size of a room and the candle use.  Thank you!

NcsuPsych

I would probably just stick to the LED candles personally. That way there's no risk and plus, you'll be able to sell them to other brides for a better price than a normal candle would sell for in a 'used' condition.

Cynthia1207

I agree with NCSU.  I wouldn't take the risk.  Better to prevent.

adktd2boots

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_using-candles-reception-grandfather-oxygen?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:14Discussion:1039c688-fda9-4851-b5b6-f13cd89f12a9Post:cd107c3b-aa95-4559-90ee-ec6507822696">Re: Using Candles at Reception with Grandfather on Oxygen</a>:
[QUOTE]Which is more important?  Having a few pretty candles at your reception or keeping your grandfather from becoming a rolling ball of flames?  I believe you have your answer.
Posted by LingerLonger1[/QUOTE]

This is exactly what I was thinking.  And if candles are more important to you, you have some serious priorital issues.

nire342

Of course my grandfather is more important than candles.  I was just asking the question to see if anyone else ran into this issue and knew of these guidelines.  There will be candles used in the church (which he attends regularly anyways so i know that is not an issue) and elsewhere so I was simply asking if anyone had experienced this before.  I wasn't asking for opinions.

adktd2boots

Nire, you're new.  You just have to learn how this place rolls without getting defensive.  You may not have asked for opinions specifically, but you asked a question and you cannot control the answers that are given to you.

If you want to hear about rainbows and puppies, stick with your local board, and probably your month board.  But when you travel out a little further, your feelers might get a little hurt from time to time when you don't hear what you want to hear and someone calls you out.

To answer your initial question: there are no decorative guidelines regarding the placements of real vs artificial candles. 

achiduck

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_using-candles-reception-grandfather-oxygen?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:14Discussion:1039c688-fda9-4851-b5b6-f13cd89f12a9Post:ee551742-9d4d-4691-a322-6f86bc8e71db">Re: Using Candles at Reception with Grandfather on Oxygen</a>:
[QUOTE]Of course my grandfather is more important than candles.  I was just asking the question to see if anyone else ran into this issue and knew of these guidelines.  There will be candles used in the church (which he attends regularly anyways so i know that is not an issue) and elsewhere so <strong>I was simply asking if anyone had experienced this before.  I wasn't asking for opinions.
</strong>Posted by nire342[/QUOTE]
Well, unfortunately for you this is an internet forum and you can't dictate how people respond. No one was rude to you or said horrible things.

Avion22

Is there any way you can ask him or another family member familiar with his oxygen system?    If he regularly goes to church where there are candles, then I would think that it's probably okay, especially if it's in a large room.   Having said that, I'm not sure how it would look to mix real and LED candles, so I'd probably recommend just doing all LED candles to have a consistant look and still be safe for Grandpa (and everyone else).

NcsuPsych

Regardless of the fact that there will be candles at the church, I still personally wouldn't risk it. I wouldn't even risk it in the church. To me, the answer for your situation is clear, just go the LED route and you'll be safe.

Always better to be safe than sorry, especially when dealing with your grandparents, much less an oxygen tank. I would never want to put my grandfather (who was on Oxygen before he passed) into a questionable situation. You'd have a more clear mind anyways.

At least that's my thought. . . oh wait, you don't want opinions. . .

OP, aren't all answers that aren't 100% factual, simply opinions? If you didn't want 'opinions', you shouldn't have asked a question. Please read the boards and get a feel for what the responses are like and try not to get so defensive so quickly.

rlavach

Do you know the company that provides the oxygen system for your grandfather? If so, perhaps you can contact them and ask for their guidelines. I'm sure they can tell you what a safe distance is. 

Meghannsix

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_using-candles-reception-grandfather-oxygen?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:1039c688-fda9-4851-b5b6-f13cd89f12a9Post:81a86f67-2c05-4ff2-99c1-431ea65c0a2c">Re: Using Candles at Reception with Grandfather on Oxygen</a>:
[QUOTE]Do you know the company that provides the oxygen system for your grandfather? If so, perhaps you can contact them and ask for their guidelines. I'm sure they can tell you what a safe distance is. 
Posted by rlavach[/QUOTE]

This is just what I was going to say!

And on a side note ladies, of course she cares about her grandfather, isn't that why she's asking?  Just my opinion

NcsuPsych

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_using-candles-reception-grandfather-oxygen?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:1039c688-fda9-4851-b5b6-f13cd89f12a9Post:6ccfa5b0-7528-4e2c-a9d2-d2a212ee9217">Re: Using Candles at Reception with Grandfather on Oxygen</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Using Candles at Reception with Grandfather on Oxygen : This is just what I was going to say! And on a side note ladies, of course she cares about her grandfather, isn't that why she's asking?  <strong>Just my opinion</strong>
Posted by Meghannsix[/QUOTE]

Yeah, but. . .she doesn't want you <em>opinion</em> . . . ;)

OP, really I would just go with LEDs. Seriously, many of the newer ones look like real candles. It's easier, less clean up (don't have to worry about wax or things catching on fire. .yadda yadda). Plus, a decision as simple as this, shouldn't be causing you so much headache.

I'm sure if that's the route you choose to go, you can find decent quantities on Amazon or Overstock. Heck, even IKEA may have some for super cheap. :)

MrsKathyC

The rule is at least 5 feet from an open flame, so candles are fine as long as they're not at his table.  My MIL is on oxygen too.

LizziebeeUT

I think anytime you mix lots of fabrics, lace, a bunch of people, and flames together, its not a good idea. Aside from your grandpa, you could have other elderly people come who you don't know are on oxygen and didn't prepare their table correctly. You're also going to have kids and immature adults who want to play with them.

If I were you, I would just go with LEDs all around

Jessimb0587

I would definitely advise against the open flames. Oxygen is not flammible but it supports combustion. I am a Resp. Therapist, and I have seen the gory side of people using oxygen around open flame. I'd say it is better to be safe and use the LED candles. 

PartyJaz

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_using-candles-reception-grandfather-oxygen?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:1039c688-fda9-4851-b5b6-f13cd89f12a9Post:bb1a735f-f3c6-4059-ab61-84f502324f5b">Re: Using Candles at Reception with Grandfather on Oxygen</a>:
[QUOTE]The rule is at least 5 feet from an open flame, so candles are fine as long as they're not at his table.  My MIL is on oxygen too.
Posted by MrsKathyC[/QUOTE]

<div>Great response! As long as everyone is careful and he doesn't get too close to the open flame it should be all good. That being said, it's always better to be safe than sorry, and if you're uber worried just stick with the LEDs...</div><div>
</div><div>BTW I think this is a totally legit question (my Gma is also on oxygen and we have been debating this exact issue)..</div><div>
</div>