BEFORE LIGHTING
- Before burning, always trim the wick to ¼ inch. You can use a wick trimmer, nail clippers, or scissors. Long or crooked wicks can cause uneven burning, dripping or flaring.
- When lighting a candle, use long matches or a long-reach lighter. Keep your hair and loose clothing away from the flame.
- Always use a candle holder specifically designed for candle use. It should be heat resistant, sturdy, and large enough to contain any drips or melted wax.
- Burn candles in a well-ventilated room.
- Place the candle holder on a stable, heat-resistant surface. This will also help prevent possible heat damage to counters and table surfaces and prevent glass containers from cracking or breaking.
- Keep the wax pool clear of wick trimmings, matches and debris at all times.
- Avoid drafts, vents, or air currents. This will help prevent rapid or uneven burning, sooting, and excessive dripping.
- it is recommended that candles do not burn for longer than four hours and cool for at least two hours before relighting.
WHILE BURNING
- Never touch or move a burning candle. Never move a votive or container candle when the wax is liquefied.
- Don’t burn a candle all the way down. For a margin of safety, discontinue burning a candle when 2 inches of wax remains (1/2 inch if in a container).
- Place burning candles at least three inches apart from one another. This is to make sure they don’t melt one another, or create their own drafts that will cause the candles to burn improperly.
- Extinguish a candle if the flame becomes too high or flickers repeatedly. Let the candle cool, trim the wick, and check for unwanted drafts before re-lighting.
- Always keep the candle within your sight. If you are going to leave the room, be sure to first blow out all candles.
- Always burn candles in a well-ventilated room. Don’t burn too many candles in a small room or in a “tight” home where air exchange is limited.
- Never use a candle as a night light.
- Be very careful if using candles during a power outage. Flashlights and other battery-powered lights are safer sources of light during a power failure. Never use a candle during a power outage to look for things in a closet, or when fueling equipment – such as a lantern or kerosene heater.
- Never burn a candle on or near anything that can catch fire. Keep burning candles away from furniture, drapes, bedding, carpets, books, paper, flammable decorations, etc.
- Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets. Do not place lighted candles where they can be knocked over by children, pets or anyone else.
CANDLE SAFETY TIP: FLAMES
- Candle flames are the source of heat and light. For safety, candle flames should be three inches or less. Never handle or move a lit candle – the flame and wax are hot. Extinguish flames by using a candle snuffer to prevent blowing hot wax. Never use water to extinguish a candle flame. The water can cause the hot wax to splatter and burn you.
- Keep candle flames at least one foot away from anything that can burn. Burn candles on a sturdy, uncluttered surface.
CANDLE SAFETY TIP: NEVER “LITTER” THE CANDLE WAX POOL.
KEEP IT CLEAN & SAFE.
Don’t Add Fuel to the Fire!
- The wax of a candle is the ONLY fuel that a candle needs to burn properly.
- Before burning a candle, make sure the wax pool area is free of wick trimmings, matches, or any other type of debris. Any debris will add more fuel to the candle than it’s designed to handle.
- Too much fuel can cause the flame to unexpectedly flare up or even start a small fire near the candle flame.
- Store-lidded candles keep them clean of dust and debris and help protect the wax and fragrance.
Your Foolproof Guide to Burning a Candle Correctly
- Burning a candle is easy. Luckily, so is following proper candle care and safety guidelines. Extend the life of your favorite candles, prevent unsightly soot and tunneling, and burn candles like a pro by following these simple tips:
Always trim the wick and check for debris.
- Before you light a candle, always trim the wick to ¼ inch and remove any debris left in the wax pool such as wick trimmings or matches. Any debris will add more fuel to the candle than it’s designed to handle. Too much fuel can cause the flame to unexpectedly flare up or even start a small fire near the candle flame. Wicks that are left long or crooked can cause uneven burning, dripping, flaring and sooting. Trimming wicks will help prolong the life of your candle. Your candles will burn up to 25% longer if you trim the wick every couple of hours.
Get it right the first time.
- Just like the first cut is the deepest, that first burn is the most important. Candles should burn one hour for every 1 inch in diameter of the actual candle size. For example, a candle that is 2 inches across should burn for 2 hours. If a candle is not burned for long enough to allow the wax to liquefy or to melt from edge to edge of the container, it will create a “memory ring.” Once a candle has a “memory ring,” it will continue to tunnel for the life of the candle.
Don’t keep candles burning for longer than indicated on the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Burning a candle for too long will cause carbon to collect on the wick, leading it to “mushroom.” The wick will then become unstable and produce a dangerously large flame. Plus, your candle will start to smoke and release soot. Avoid this by always following the manufacturer’s instructions. In general, it is recommended that candles do not burn for longer than four hours and cool for at least two hours before relighting.