How to Use Candles Safely

If you choose to light candles in your home, take a couple of steps to ensure your safety around these fire hazards.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fire Detector
• Smoke Detectors
• Smoke Detectors
• Fire Extinguishers
• Fire Extinguishers
• Combination Smoke/carbon Monoxide Detectors

1. Make sure that all candles are placed in sturdy fire-safe holders.

2. Place candles on a steady table and make sure nothing is too close to the flames.

3. Avoid placing candles in small enclosed areas, such as in closets or between bookshelves.

4. Keep candles away from anything flammable.

5. Avoid putting candles in windows or near doorways. If the candles start a fire, your exit could be blocked.

6. Check candles often to make sure they haven't burned down too low.

7. Never leave lit candles unattended.

Tips & Warnings

• It's best not to use candles around small children.
• Stress fire safety to your family around various holidays, such as the Fourth of July and the December holiday season, when matches and candles are being used much more.
• Keep a fire extinguisher handy in your home.
• Under no circumstances should a child play with matches or candles.

on 11/22/2005 Candles when burned release toxins into the air that can irritate sensitive lungs. Make sure you have good ventilation in your house before lighting a candle - especially with an asthmatic around. Also be considerate that asthmatics may be in addition allergic to the scent you're burning. Hyacinth may smell divine to you, but I speak from experience that it sets off many an asthmatic!

on 11/22/2005 If you have jar candles...be careful! The glass gets especially hot and little curious fingers can get easily burned. Also, make sure, even if it's in a jar, to put a ceramic plate under the candle to protect your furniture. A family heirloom can be spared from the heat with a little thinking. Never burn a jar candle lower than 1" from the bottom of the jar and NEVER snuff a hot jar candle with the lid! HOT glass cracks and you could end up with a gooey wax and glass mess.

on 11/22/2005 To burn a candle evenly, remember these easily forgotten tips: Turn off fans, keep the candles away from drafts or circulation vents and air conditioners, trim the wick to 1/8" before burning, let them burn no more than 3 hours, and if you really want to get fancy, invest about $5 for a brass ring that sits on top of the candle when it burns to keep the wax on the sides from becoming uneven. You can get a candle ring at specialty candle stores in your local mall.

on 11/22/2005 If you have pillar candles and don't have a candle-holder, use a ceramic or earthen-ware bowl. Candle wax comes off easy when soaked in tepid water and this type of bowl can certainly hold the wax and resist the heat. You can get a plethera of colours and pretty styles at garage sales and thrift stores. They're much more practical than brass and so much easier to clean!

on 11/22/2005 If you do happen to get wax on carpet or fabric - all is not lost! Heat up your trusty old iron, get yourself a paper grocery bag, tear off a scrap and place it over the wax. Iron on the recommended setting for the fabric until you notice the wax being "soaked" up by the paper bag scrap. Continue until it's out of the fabric. I got BLACK wax out of a CREAM-coloured carpet with this method! It really works!