the reason I think candles and cats are not safe together isn't even getting their tails set on fire, it is that they could suddenly knock one over and set everything else on fire. Cats are fast and if something wills them to jump up at just the place a candle is buring, well it could happen in a flash.
I once had one floor plant. It was a rather large prickly cactus. You'd think they'd leave it alone with those spines. HAH!