Candle Safety

We test all our candle types before selling them, but candles burn at high temperatures and can be dangerous. This much is obvious, but there are some sensible rules to follow that may not be so obvious, but which can help to keep you safe.

General Safety Tips:

  • Extinguish all candles when leaving the room or going to sleep.
  • Keep candles away from items that can catch fire (e.g. clothing, books, paper, curtains, Christmas trees, flammable decorations).
  • Use candle holders that are sturdy, won't tip over easily, are made from a material that can't burn and are large enough to collect any dripping wax.
  • Don't place lit candles in windows, where blinds and curtains can close over them.
  • Don't place lit candles in draughty places as it causes uneven burning.
  • Place candle holders on a sturdy, uncluttered surface and do not use candles in places where they could be knocked over by children or pets.
  • Keep candles and all open flames away from flammable liquids.
  • Keep candle wicks trimmed to one-quarter inch and extinguish taper and pillar candles when they get to within two inches of the holder or decorative material. Votives and container candles should be extinguished before the last half-inch of wax starts to melt.

Gel Candles:

  • Keep wicks trimmed to ¼ inch above the gel surface before each use.
  • Do not burn candles for more than four hours at a time.
  • Do not move the gel candle once it has been lit.
  • After extinguishing, leave until cool before moving.
  • Never burn the last inch of a candle.
  • Extinguish a candle if it burns too close to glass walls.
  • Extinguish a candle if it smokes.

Candles & children:

  • Keep candles up high out of reach of children.
  • Never leave a child unattended in a room with a candle. A child should not sleep in a room
    with a lit candle.
  • Don't allow children or teens to have candles in their bedrooms.
  • Store candles, matches and lighters up high and out children's sight and reach, preferably in a
    locked cabinet.

During power cuts:

  • Try to avoid carrying a lit candle. Don't use a lit candle when searching for items in a confined space.
  • Never use a candle for a light when checking pilot lights or fuelling equipment such as a kerosene heater or lantern. The flame may ignite the fumes.

Source : NFPA Periodicals.