We want you to relax and enjoy your candles but candle safety must not be taken lightly.
Here are a few tips to help you.
Candle Safety - A few fire safety tips
For all types of candle
- We burn candles to illuminate our homes, to make that special dinner that bit more exceptional and to fill our homes with gorgeous aromas.
- To get pleasure from our candles also means that we must use them sensibly, candle safety is crucial.
- Caution should be taken when using candles and here are some straightforward fire safety tips when burning candles.
- Always take heed of the labels and warnings with the candle and candle holder
- Use an appropriate non-flammable holder.
- Never Leave Burning Candles Unattended
- Make certain the candle is upright in the holder before lighting and in a holder that cannot fall over easily.
- Always place candles well away from flammable items such as curtains and furniture.
- Keep candles away from clothes and hair.
- To avoid damage to surfaces always place candle and candle holders on a surface that will not be damaged by heat e.g. ceramic tiles or plates. Table mats are NOT suitable.
- Do not move candles when lit or when wax is still liquid.
- Always read and follow manufacturer's instructions supplied with candles and candle holders.
- Remove all packaging before use.
- Burn out of reach of children and pets.
- Put out candles with a candle snuffer. Do not blow them out. Never use water to snuff out a candle.
- Ensure candles are placed at least 10cm / 4 inches apart and allow headroom above the candle for the heat to disperse.
- Candles should be burned away from other sources of heat such as television sets and away from direct sunlight.
- Candles should be burned in an area free from draughts.
- Trim wick to 1cm / 1/2 inches before lighting and relighting. If the candle smokes, put out and trim the wick.
Tapered, Pillar and Tall Candles
- When using these candles, ensure there is a tight fit at the base of the candle holder.
- Candles with a diameter of over 5cm / 2 inches should be burned on a spiked holder or flat dish.
- Pillar candles over 6cm / 2 1/2 inches should be burned for at least 4 hours at a time.
- Allow wax to solidify before relighting.
- Ensure candles are positioned securely in an upright position.
- Extinguish candle before flame reaches within 2cm /1 inch of the holder.
Room Scenters and Votive Candles
- Remove base label before burning.
- These candles liquefy in use. Burn in suitable flat based holder to contain molten wax.
- Never let the flame come into contact with the container.
- Do not move the candle when lit.
- To maintain an even burn make sure the wick remains in the centre of the container.
- Do not allow foreign objects e.g. match heads to fall into the wax pool.
- If enlarged or second flame occurs extinguish candle immediately.
- Clean out holder before using a new candle.
- Place holders on a surface that will not be damaged by heat.
- Do not burn on a television or other warm place.
Tealights and Nightlights
Tealights
- Tealights are ideal for lanterns or for holders which have holes in them as the tealight case will hold
- the wax as it melts.
- Place Tealight holders on a surface that will not be damaged by heat.
- Do not burn on a television or other warm place.
Nightlights
- Nightlights are suitable for lighting uses. Do not use in food warmers or vaporisers.
- Place Nightlight holders on a surface that will not be damaged by heat.
- Do not burn on a television or other warm place.
- Do not use in oil burners or lanterns where there is less than 8cm/ 3 inches of space above the
- flame.
Oil Burners
- Make sure that oil burners are well ventilated.
- There must be at least 8cm/ 3 inches of space above the flame within the holder. Only use metal
- cupped unscented Tealights.
- Do not allow aromatic oils to come into contact with skin. When using aromatic oils in a burner
- always use with water.
- Do not use water with Wax Scenters.
Outdoor Candles
- Burn outdoors only.
Torch Candles
- Position upright in soft earth away from overhanging trees and branches.
- Do not use on a patio or near decorative stone ornaments, due to possible wax spillage.
- Light the top of Torch candles.
Glass, Tin & Ceramic Wax Filled Items
- Place on a surface that will not be damaged by heat. Do not use if the container is cracked,
- chipped, or scratched.
- Never let the flame come into contact with container. Do not move candle when lit.
- Extinguish candle when lit. Extinguish the candle before replacing the lid.
- Discontinue use when 1/2cm / 1/4 inch of wax remains.
- Do not place lid on base of container whilst burning.
Floating Candles
- Floating candles should only be used in suitable water filled bowls.
Novelty Candles
- Novelty candles are designed to be decorative. Place on a large holder as irregularly shaped novelty
- candles may drip profusely.
Flower Rings
- Flower rings are for decoration only. They may be flammable. Remove flower rings before lighting
- candles.
Hopefully the above will have given you a better understanding about how to enjoy candles by burning them safely.
