candle safety

how to burn a candle safely

before burning, always trim the wick to ¼ inch for a cotton wick and 1/8" - 3/16" for a wood wick.
keep the wax pool clear of wick trimmings, matches and debris at all times.
if using a candle holder, 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.

avoid drafts, vents, or air currents. this will help prevent rapid or uneven burning, sooting, and excessive dripping.
never burn a candle for longer than three hours and cool for at least two hours before relighting.
when lighting a candle, use long matches or a long-reach lighter. Keep your hair and loose clothing away from the flame.

never leave a candle unattended.
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.
never touch or move a candle while it is burning or while the wax is liquefied.
don't burn a candle all the way down. for a margin of safety, discontinue burning a candle when 1/2 inch remains in the container or 2 inches if using a pillar candle.
place burning candles at least twelve 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.
never use a candle as a night light or while you may fall asleep.
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.

use a candle snuffer to extinguish a candle. it's the safest way to prevent wax from splattering.
never use water to extinguish a candle. water can use the hot wax to splatter and might break a glass container.
make sure the candle is completely out and the wick ember is no longer glowing before leaving the room.
don't touch or move the candle until it is completely cooled.
never use a knife or sharp object to remove the wax drippings from a glass holder. It might scratch, weaken or cause the glass to break upon subsequent use.