Fire Safety when Burning Candles

6/2/2021 (Permalink)

Use candles safely.

A lot of people enjoy burning candles for many different reasons. For some, it’s the tranquility and beauty of having a tad bit of light in a dim room. For others, it’s the smell the candle gives off, filling your house with a delightful scent.  Whatever your reason may be, a candle is still an open flame that is a fire hazard. There are an estimated 8,700 house fires each year from burning candles.

Here are some safety tips to safely burn a candle inside your home. 

Safety Tips To Use Candles 

Before lighting your Candle 

• Before you burn your candle, always trim your wick to 1/4 inch. Crooked or long wicks could cause uneven burning, flaring, or dripping. If you don’t have a wick trimmer, don’t worry, you can use nail clippers or scissors as well.
• Always use a candle holder. Candle holders are sturdy, heat resistant, and will catch any dripping. 
• Burn candles in a well-ventilated room. Avoid air currents, vents, and drafts. This will help prevent excessive dripping, sooting, or uneven burning.
• Do not burn candle longer than 4 hours and give the candle 2 hours to cool before relighting.
• Use long matches or long-reach lighter when lighting your candle. Make sure you keep loose clothing and hair away from the flame. 

  While Candle is Burning 

• Stop burning a candle when 2 inches of wax remains, never burn your candle all the way down. 
• Never put a candle someplace where your child or pet could get a hold of it or knock it over.
• While your candle is burning keep it away from anything flammable. Curtains, books, bedding, furniture and paper.
• Never move a candle while it’s burning or while the wax is liquified.
• Never leave the room while a candle is burning, always put it out.
• Never use your candle as a night light. 

When Putting out your Candle 

• Never extinguish your candles flame with water. Water may cause the hot wax to splatter everywhere, causing the glass container to break. 
• The safest way to put out your candle is with a candle snuffer.
• Before exiting the room, make sure your candle is completely out. 

Enjoying the comfort of candles in your home can be nice and relaxing. Using these candle fire safety tips can help prevent a fire from starting.