Trick candle

A trick candle, also known as magic candle, is a novelty candle capable of relighting itself. By igniting magnesium inserted into the wick of the candle, the paraffin vapor given off when a candle is blown out can be set alight, allowing the candle to reignite itself.^[1]

A man attempting to blow out trick candles on a cake

Trick candles were banned in Canada in 1977.^[2] They present a fire risk in that consumers may throw them into the trash believing them to have been extinguished, only for the candles to relight.^[3] A spokesperson for the National Candle Association recommends immersing the candles in water for a while before discarding them.^[3]

See also

• List of practical joke topics