Candles – Fire Hazards – Safety Tips

• Trim the Wick: Always trim wicks to 1/4 inch before lighting. This prevents high flames, excessive smoke, and soot buildup.
• Check the Surface: Place candles on a stable, heat-resistant surface. Avoid plastic or wood that could melt or catch fire.
• Clear a “Safe Zone”: Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn, such as curtains, bedding, books, or decorations.
• Avoid Drafts: Keep candles away from open windows, fans, or air vents, as drafts can cause the flame to flicker dangerously or blow nearby items into the fire. 

• Never Leave Unattended: Always keep a burning candle within your line of sight. If you leave the room, blow it out.
• Watch Children and Pets: Keep candles out of reach of “little hands” and wagging tails. Never leave a child alone with a lit candle.
• Don’t Move Lit Candles: Never touch or move a candle while the wax is liquid.
• Space Them Out: If lighting multiple candles, keep them at least 3 inches apart to prevent them from melting each other or creating their own drafts.
• Limit Burn Time: Do not burn candles for more than 4 hours at a time to prevent the container from overheating. 

• Use a Snuffer: Using a candle snuffer is the safest way to extinguish a flame and prevents hot wax from splattering.
• Never Use Water: Using water to put out a candle can cause hot wax to explode and glass containers to shatter.
• Know When to Stop: Stop burning a candle when 1/2 inch of wax remains in a container (or 2 inches for pillar candles) to prevent the bottom from getting too hot.
• Double Check: Ensure the wick is completely extinguished and no longer glowing before leaving the area. 

• If you have young children, pets, or someone in the home using medical oxygen (which makes flames highly dangerous), consider battery-operated flameless candles. They offer the same ambiance and scent without the fire risk. 

(5) Safety Tips : 

• “Three-Foot Rule”: Keep candles at least 3 feet away from items that can burn.
• Extinguish Always: Blow out all candles when leaving a room or going to bed.
• Stable Surfaces: Use sturdy, non-combustible holders on flat surfaces.
• Trim Wicks: Keep wicks trimmed to 1/4 inch to prevent high flames.
• Power Outages: Use flashlights, not candles, during power outages.
• Safe Distance: Keep burning candles at least 3 inches apart from each other.
• Children/Pets: Keep matches and lighters out of reach.
• Avoid Drafts: Keep away from fans, vents, and open windows.
• Container Safety: Stop burning when 2 inches of wax remain, or
  1/2 inch for container candles.
• Consider Alternatives: Use LED battery-operated candles for safety.