Candles provide a fun ambiance and an inviting scent when they are lit. When misused or not attended to, candles can cause accidents — most involving fire hazards. To get the most out of your candles, be careful to use them in a safe way and purchase proper candle making supplies. Here are a few tips to help increase safety while using your candles:
1. Let the Wax Solidify Before Moving the Candle
If you have had a candle lit for an extended period of time, the wax will be melted and fairly hot to the touch. Leave the candle in the same place it was burning until the wax has solidified again. Both the wax and its glass container should be cool before transport. Trying to move the candle while the wax is still liquified may result in hard-to-clean spills or potential burns.
2. Safely Dispose of Matches
Candle safety and match safety go hand in hand. Both can cause dangerous fire hazards when not properly attended to. After you have used a match, never throw it directly into the trash. Spent matches still have the potential to light objects on fire. For a quick method of disposal, hold the spent match under cool, running water for a few seconds. After it has cooled down, you can throw the match away. You can also place the match on a fire-resistant surface and let it cool to room temperature before throwing it out.
3. Do not Leave Candles Unattended
Leaving a lit candle unattended is a potential fire hazard. When you light a candle, make sure you will be in the same room at all times. Place the candle in the center of a table or countertop and away from the edge where it could get knocked over. Do not place the candle near household objects that could potentially catch fire. Some of these objects include curtains, stacks of mail, clothing, or wood furniture. Place the candle in a clean area, and do not leave the room while it is lit.
If you like to light a candle when you are getting ready for bed at night, be sure to blow the candle out before you go to sleep. A candle should never burn through the night without someone to watch it carefully.
4. Keep the Candle Out of Reach
Whether you have children or pets, it is key to keep your lit candles in safe areas. Place them up high where small children can’t grab them or pets can’t jump up and knock them over. While it may look esthetically pleasing to light a candle and place it on a low coffee table, this is not a safe spot when you have young children running around. Place the candle on a high shelf or countertop. Monitor your children and pets when they are in the same room as the lit candle to help prevent any accidents.
5. Carefully Put Out the Flame
When you need to put out your candle, never use water to put out the flame. Splashing water on your hot candle can lead to wax splattering on the surrounding area and potentially burning someone. Using water on hot wax may also cause the candle glass to shatter, which will then spread the flame further.
To safely extinguish a candle flame, use a wick dipper to gently push the wick into the wax. You can also blow the candle out if you don’t mind the ensuing smoke. If your candle has a non-flammable lid, you can attach the lid back onto the candle jar to put out the flame through a lack of oxygen.
6. Use High-quality Candle Making Supplies
Quality candles require the use of high-quality supplies. If you purchase candles at the store, look for candles made with premium materials. If you enjoy making your own candles, look for vendors that provide high-quality candle making supplies. Candles that are made with poor-quality materials may increase your risk of inhaling chemicals emitted by the inferior ingredients. Purchase your wax and wicks from environmentally safe, ethically sourced providers. This may help to improve your health and safety every time you light a candle.
Practice Candle Safety
Practice caution when dealing with lit candles to safely enjoy their unique aromas. Keep the candles in secure areas that are far away from anything that can catch fire. Choose candles and candle supplies with the highest quality ingredients. Following these tips allows you to burn candles in your home more responsibly.
