The Basics of Candle Burning
Candles are a relaxing and gorgeous addition to any home, but as open flames, they have the potential to become as dangerous as any other fire source. Although candles are one of the leading causes of accidental fires in one’s home, they are preventable through following three easy steps:
Do not leave any candle unattended for extended periods of time.
Keep candles away from (and out of reach of) children and pets.
Keep candles away from anything flammable (such as curtains or plants).
In addition to these basic tips, there are various things to consider before lighting a candle, while a candle is burning, and when extinguishing a candle’s flame. In addition to those listed above, here are other things to take note of:
BEFORE LIGHTING A CANDLE
Invest in candleholders, decorative plates or coasters. This adds a lovely ornament to your candle and protects your surfaces from the heat or from unwanted drips of hot wax.
Trim the wick about 1/4 of an inch to ensure even burning.
When lighting for the first time, burn the candle until wax melts across the entire surface up to the sides of the vessel.
Don’t light your candle in a windy or breezy space as flames can easily be carried across rooms.
WHILE A CANDLE IS BURNING
Make sure that candles are at least three inches away from one another to avoid fusion and flaring.
Do not burn your candles for more than 4 hours at a time and never leave them burning unattended.
While you may initially think that candles should be burned to stubs, candles should actually be discontinued when 1/2 inch of wax is remaining in order to avoid heat damage to the container itself or the countertop or surface.
When using soy candles consider keeping windows and doors closed for the first 30 minutes before entering the room. This will allow for maximum fragrance. Do not do this with other types of candles that might be toxic example: paraffin.
WHEN EXTINGUISHING A CANDLE
While blowing out a candle is still perfectly fine with small candles such as birthday cake candles or tea lights, you’ll want to use a candle snuffer for larger candles to prevent a smokey scent or any spray of hot wax.
Do not use water to extinguish a flame, as moisture can cause candle bases to crack or break.
Before leaving an extinguished candle unattended, make sure that it is actually completely out.
Wait until the candle and holder are completely cool before moving them in order to avoid burns and wax spills.
