Candles can bring a relaxing, aromatic, or romantic ambiance into any room in your house, but it is essential to remember that an open flame poses a potential fire hazard. Especially if you have children or pets in your house, it’s vital to spend time reviewing how to safely burn candles in your house. Here are five helpful tips for enjoying candles safely.
1. Keep Candles Away from Flammable Materials
Always be wary when placing candles down. Keep them at least 12 inches from anything that could catch fire. These include curtains, bedding, carpets, books, or decorations that might combust if too close. Even small things such as paper or mail piles could ignite easily if too near a candle flame.
2. Always Keep Candles Out of Reach
Be mindful when leaving any room with candles burning. Although it might seem obvious, forgetting one when leaving for another area can be easy. Always blow out all candles when leaving or going to sleep. It is always better to be safe than sorry and extinguish the flame, even if just for a short moment.
3. Utilize a Stable and Heat-Resistant Holder
Your candle’s container can impact its safety. Choose a sturdy one that won’t tip over easily, and use a material that can withstand the high temperatures of its candle flame. Ensure to collect any melted wax while simultaneously decreasing fire risks.
4. Maintain your Candle’s Wick
Maintaining your candle’s wick is a crucial yet often underestimated part of candle safety. Trimming to around 1/4 inch will help it burn more evenly and avoid it flickering wildly, potentially producing sparks, excess smoke, or flickering unpredictably that make sparks or smoke.
Untrimmed wicks may lead to uncontrollable flames which exceed what your container can contain, creating a potential fire hazard. Regular maintenance extends its life span while producing cleaner and brighter lights from its candle.
5. Consider the Impact on Pets and Children
Candles pose unexpected hazards for both pets and children. Either can become drawn to its flickering flame out of curiosity, potentially knocking it over or coming too close to its heat source. Always place candles high enough to be out of reach by children and pets to mitigate accidents.
Consider locations in which pets would find it harder to jump onto and locations in which children would find it difficult to access. The combination will go a long way toward keeping your home safer from accidents. Regular vigilance combined with strategic placement of candles can go far towards keeping accidents out.
Before lighting candles in your house, make sure you are adequately prepared. Keep a fire extinguisher or a large, damp cloth nearby if any flames appear unexpectedly. Additionally, consider learning more about candle safety. The National Candle Association provides plenty of valuable resources regarding safely using candles.
Candles create an ambient setting only when safely enjoyed. By following these tips, you can safely enjoy candle lighting while creating an inviting environment within your home and protecting those closest to you. Safety is very important while using candles.