Candles can be a wonderful way to bring ambiance into your home and enrich your
homes atmosphere, but there are some dangers to burning candles. If you handle the
candles safely and use common sense, you can enjoy the tranquil, soft, glowing flame
and the pleasing fragrance in your home. Many companies are touting the benefits for not
burning candles, instead just melting the waxy to allow the scented oils to evaporate to
fill the room. Any open flame can pose a hazard. The hazard is only magnified by not
taking the risks seriously and not taking measures to minimize the risk. You can enjoy a
burning candle safely by observing the surrounding and taking simple steps.
A major hazard with open flames is children. When you light a candle, place it in an area
where a child cannot grab it or knock it over. Do not leave your candle on or near the
edge of your countertops or tables. Do not put your candles on the floor or near other
combustible materials. If you have children in your home, never place a burning candle
where the child could have access to it. Teach your children, even very young ones, about
fire safety. Accidents will be avoided if children are supervised around open flame.
Never leave your candle unattended. Most fires that are started from candles happen
when the burning candle is forgotten. Don’t burn your candles in obscure locations
where they will be forgotten easily. Do not leave any candles lit when you leave the
house. Do not go to sleep with a candle still burning. A jar candle can, on rare occasions,
crack or shatter from the heat of the flame. To avoid this hazard, check for cracks or other
breaks on your jar candles before burning them. Try to burn your candles evenly. Do not
use a candle that allows wax to spill when it is lit. The base of pillar candles should be
flat and even to prevent the candle from tipping over.
The flame on a candle is facilitated by the oils that evaporate from the heat. The wax is
not burning in its solid form. The heat causes the wax to vaporize and it is the vapor that
is actually burning. Make sure that your candle wick is the proper length. This will help
your candles last longer and burn more evenly. Use a long ignition lighter to light your
candles to prevent burning your fingers.
Following these simple steps can keep your home safe. Remember to keep candles out of
the reach of children, and burn your candles responsibly. Keep your candles away from
combustible materials, edges of tables and countertops, off the floor, and teach your
children not to play with and to respect a candle when it is burning. You don’t have to do
away with burning your candles. The pleasant fragrances emitted from a lit candle will
enhance the mood in your home. The soft light from the flame will be a comfort to you
and your loved ones