We all love candles and how they make our home look and feel. Don't be fooled though, we must take so many precautions when it comes to burning candles as they can have dire consequences.
Therefore here are the 10 commandments for candle safety
1.Thou shall not leave thy candle unattended.
This one I believe is very straight forward but please do not ignore it. A slight breeze through a window can blow a curtain and catch in the fame.
2. Thou shall keep candles away from small children and pets.
Keep any type of candle/flame well away from children and pets. Also ensure that no children fall asleep beside a candle
3. Thou shall not place candles on an unstable surface.
Instead, place your candle on a steady piece of heat-resistant furniture.
4. Thou shall keep thy candle far, far away from other materials.
This one’s a biggie when you consider the fact that 58 percent of home candle fires happen when some form of combustible material comes too close to the candle’s flame.
5. Thou shall trim the wick so it’s 1/4 inch at all times.
Long or warped wicks are more likely to burn unevenly, drip or flare up. You can purchase candle wick trimmers specifically designed to promote cleaner, safer candle burning.
6. Thou shall read the manufacturer’s recommendations on burn time and proper use.
Each candle is unique, so read the sticker instructions on yours. No sticker? Then seriously reconsider purchasing or using that candle. If it doesn’t meet labelling standards, it probably doesn’t meet other important safety standards.
7. Thou shall not burn a candle to the very end of its life.
Burning your candle all the way down is a fire hazard. Instead, toss it when there’s two inches of wax left in a freestanding/votive candle or ½ inch in a container candle.
8. Thou shall use a candle snuffer to extinguish a candle.
In addition to adding an element of old-school formality to your candle burning, a snuffer prevents hot wax from splattering.
9. Thou shall place thy candle in a proper candleholder.
Is your candleholder heat-resistant, sturdy and able to catch drips? If not, it’s time to invest in something new.
10. Thou shall extinguish a candle with a high or flickering flame.
This is a definite fire hazard, so extinguish the flame, let the candle cool, trim the wick and inspect your home for any drafts before relighting.