Candle Safety Tips

People have enjoyed using candles for centuries. 
Candles are a wonderful part of life - enhancing
romance, evoking memories, and filling our homes
with wonderful aromas - when used properly.  However,
fires from candles can happen if certain precautions
are not taken by the consumer.

National fire safety agencies report that the bulk of
candle fire incidents in the United States are due to
consumer inattention to basic fire safety or to the
misuse of candles. Always keep a burning candle within
sight. Extinguish all candles when leaving a room or
before going to sleep.  Nearly 40 percent of residential
candle fires reportedly occurred because candles were
unattended, abandoned or inadequately controlled.

Never burn a candle on or near anything that can catch
fire. Keep burning candles away from furniture, drapes,
bedding, carpets, books, paper, flammable decorations, etc. 
Nearly 20 percent of residential candle fire occurred
because a combustible item was placed too close to the candle.

Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets.
Do not place lighted candles where they can be knocked
over by children, pets or anyone else.

Trim candlewicks to 1/4 inch each time before burning. 
Long or crooked wicks cause uneven burning and dripping.

Always use a candle holder specifically designed for candle use.
The holder should be heat resistant, sturdy and large enough
to contain any drips or melted wax. Be sure the candle holder
is placed on a stable, heat-resistant surface.

Keep burning candles away from drafts, vents and air currents.
This will help prevent rapid, uneven burning, smoking and excessive
dripping. Drafts can also blow lightweight curtains or papers into
the flame where they could catch fire. Ceiling fans can cause drafts.

Keep the wax pool free of wick trimmings, matches and debris
at all times.

Do not burn a candle for longer than the manufacturer
recommends.

Always burn candles in a well-ventilated room.

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 (1/2inch if in a container).
This will also help prevent possible heat damage to the counter/
surface and prevent glass containers from cracking or breaking.

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

Candles should be placed at least three inches apart from one
another. This is to be sure they don�t melt one another, or
create their own drafts that will cause the candles to burn
improperly.

One of the safest ways to extinguish a candle is to use a candle
snuffer, which helps prevent hot wax from spattering.

Do not extinguish candles with water. The water can cause the
hot wax to spatter and can cause glass containers to break.

Flashlights and other battery-powered lights are much safer
light sources than candles during a power failure.

Never use a candle as light when you go into a closet to look
for things.

Never use a candle for light when fueling equipment such as
a lantern or kerosene heater.