Candles bring a great deal of joy, but can also be a serious fire hazard if not used properly. There are a number of things you can do to reduce risks when you burn candles. Please see the list complied below..
- Trim the Wick!
Trim your wick to about ¼”. I recommend you use a Candle Wick Trimmer since it makes an ideally clean cut. Trim the wick to this size for every subsequent burn. This will help your candle burn a bit slower and longer. Only trim wicks on cooled candles, for safety and to prevent debris from contaminating hot wax. Discard trimming and make sure none remain in the glass!
- Set the Stage..
Burn in a safe environment.. Find the perfect surface for burning that is stable, even, non-flammable, and heat resistant. Keep away from drafts, out of reach of pets, children and curtains or anything flammable..
Also note placing a hot candle on a cool surface like marble or glass may cause the vessel to crack.
As for lighting, this is easy when your candle is new, and a short match or lighter will do. Once the candle wax gets lower this is trickier. A long match or BBQ Lighter is an ideal fix and a great way to not burn yourself.
- The First Burn
Let your first burn last 2-3 hours, and wait until the pooling wax reaches the edge of the glass. If you don't, you run the risk of burning straight down the center of the candle and shortening the life of your candle.
Never leave a burning candle unattended (more on this later).
- Subsequent Burns
Don't burn your candle for too long
Trim them again every 2-3 hours to prevent high flames.. Any longer and your candle may get too hot and the wick may get too long or mushroom. Put that flame out and let your candle solidify before trimming and lighting again.
Keep things Centered
After you blow your candle out, let it cool and check the wick. Gently guide it back towards the center, as candle wicks tend to wiggle around and get out of place. If it gets too close to the glass, it can cause the vessel to heat up and crack, which wont be fun for you or your nice coffee table. Plus, the straighter the wick, the longer the burn time!
Never leave a burning candle unattended (more on this later).
- Give it a Rest!!
Once there's less than 1/4" of wax left in the glass, it's time to let go.
Industry standard safety measures recommend not burning any candle all the way to the bottom of the vessel. The wick may slide and burn too close to the glass, with risk of cracking. It's hard to lose your favorite scent, but this is an opportunity to give something new a try 😃
8. Must Adhere to Rules!!
- Keep burning candles out of reach of children and pets.
- Do not leave candles burning with no one in the room.
- Extinguish all candles before you go to sleep.
For more information on Health Canada’s recommendations for candle safety please see link below:
Per Health Canada: "Every year in Canada, Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and B.C., it is estimated that candles were responsible for an average of nearly 800 candle fires in Canada each year between 1999 and 2008, with a yearly average of 8 fire deaths, 115 fire injuries and $26.2 million in property damage. Candle fires are most common during holidays and special occasions."
