Let's start with the solemn news. Candle safety is not a trivial matter. Every year, countless fires are caused by improper use of candles. Our homes are full of combustible materials such as curtains, clothing and magazines (and now, thanks to Covid-19, alcohol-based disinfecting sprays). To enjoy a candle at all is to enjoy a candle safely. Here are some tips to lighting your candles safely and effectively for the best burn.
Prepping Your Candle Station
Before you light your candle, be sure to place your candle at the right place:
- Ensure that your candle is sitting on a fireproof surface (e.g. a dish made of fireproof material) and keep the candle away from flammable materials such as paper and curtains.
- Place your candle on a stable surface and be sure not to walk around with a lit candle.
- Always keep a lit candle within your view. Not just in the same room, but within your view!
- Avoid placing candles in the same room as flammables such as alcohol (including disinfectants), oxygen tanks (including the small ones used for health purposes), aerosols.
Lighting Your Candle Effectively
- Trim your (unlit) wick to 1/4 inch for the best burn. Often, as you burn the candle, you'd notice that wicks end up longer and crooked. Be sure to trim them before each burn. Conscientious trimming helps the candle to burn up to 25% longer!
- Remove flammable decoration pieces in the candle such as dried flowers.
- Let your candle burn until it melts the wax from edge to edge, especially during the first burn. This helps to prolong candle life too. As a general rule of thumb, candles burn one hour for every inch of the candle's diameter. So a candle with a diameter of 3 inches should burn for approximately 3 hours the first burn. That being said, depending on the number, type, and size of wicks in your candle, this number could differ.
- Avoid for burning for more than 4 hours each time. Any longer than this and your candle might be a little too hot to be safe!
Faint Scent?
Firstly, do note that fragrance loads cannot be too high as a too-high load could lead to flames! Instead, enjoy the candle as a faint and soothing background aroma (and not an in-your-nose perfume).
Scented candles last for 6 to 12 months. If they are not stored and used (properly and frequently), their performance could deteriorate and the wax might crack.
Extinguishing & Storing Your Candles
- Use a candle snuffer instead of water to extinguish your candle. Avoid blowing the candle out to prevent accidents, burns and fires.
- Let candles cool for at least two hours before re-lighting the candle.
- Store your candles in cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to preserve the state of the wax and the fragrance (for scented candles).
Candles are fantastic ways to relax after a hard day at work. They also help us to focus our energies, making them a brilliant meditation companion. Here's to enjoying our candles safely!
With all our Love,
Ren
Disclaimer: The information contained on this site is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute of any kind for advice, diagnosis or treatment by a licensed physician. Please seek immediate medical care for any health issues and consult your doctor before using alternative or homeopathic medicine or making a change to your lifestyle and regimen.
