Candle Safety

Candles are beautiful, but live flames need to be treated with caution.  

We all know we shouldn't leave a candle burning for long periods of time, but there are other things that happen we can take care to prevent.   Below I recap the basics, as well as add a couple of tips that have helped me. 

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

• Never leave a burning candle unattended
• Keep out of reach of children and pets. Be extra careful to place candles where an excited dog tail or curious nose cannot reach them (no coffee tables, for example)
• Place on a flat, fireproof surface clear of other items, especially paper, dry floral arrangements, and other highly flammable items
• To prevent fire, always burn your candle within sight
• Do not burn a candle for more than 3 hours at a time
• During burning, periodically check the temperature of your vessel.  If it gets too hot, it could crack or break and pose a risk. 
• Trim wick to 1/4" before every burn to keep the flame from getting too large or hot

Since I burn candles in every room throughout the home during different times of the day, I am really careful about extinguishing them properly before I leave a room.  However, interruptions and distractions can happen.  I have found it helpful to set an alarm at the 3 hour mark to make sure that I have blown the candle out or to go check that I did.  I even use Alexa to remind me to check the candle at 3 hours.