Ten Candle Safety Tips

Uniquely, candlelight creates a presence wherever it is used, whether it radiates from a single candle or a large number of them, all burning in unison. Everyone loves the special ambiance that candles provide, with some with bringing an extra measure of olfactory gratification with releasing pleasurable scents as they burn. Understanding how to burn candles safely, while not being rocket science, is something that actually requires a little bit of forethought and preventative measures. What follows are ten important guidelines to follow, for important candle safety.

1. Keep burning candles in view. Extinguish all candles when leaving a room or before going to sleep. Be sure the wick ember is not glowing anymore.

2. Never burn a candle on or near anything that can catch fire. Don’t burn candles on bookshelves, furniture, drapes, bedding, carpets, books, paper etc.

3. Keep burning candles out of the reach of children and pets.

4. Keep burning candles away from drafts, vents, ceiling fans and air currents. This will help prevent rapid, uneven burning and avoid flame flare-ups.

5. Always burn candles in a well-ventilated room. Don’t burn too many candles in a small room or in a “tight” home with limited air exchange.

6. Don’t burn a candle all the way down. Extinguish the flame if it comes too close to the holder or container. For a margin of safety, discontinue burning a candle when 2 inches of wax remains or ½ inch if in a container.

7. Never touch or move a burning candle or container candle when the wax is liquid.

8. Place burning candles at least three inches apart from one another. This helps ensure they don’t melt one another, or create their own drafts to cause improper burning.

9. Never extinguish candles with water. Water can cause hot wax to splatter and might even cause a glass container to break.

10. Be very careful if using candles during a power outage. Flashlights and other battery-powered lights are safer sources of light in restricted circumstances.