Are oil lamps safe to use indoors? oil lamps safety The simple answer to this is yes! Like with any candles, precautions should be taken such as dont place them near soft furnishings and things like curtains, and dont leave them unattended. Because they don't melt like an ordinary candle though, there is never a problem there and they will never make a mess, and dont drio wax everywhere if you need to move them. They should be kept out of chilodrens reahat ALL times. This is just common sense. Also, if you knock an oil candle over, it will go out nine times out of ten. The fuel will not burn on its own without a wick.