Candle Safety

• Before lighting a candle make sure to trim the wick to ¼ of an inch. You can use a wick trimmer, nail clippers or scissors. Long or crooked wicks can cause uneven burning, dripping or flaring.
• Always use a study candle holder. These should be heat resistant and large enough to contain any dripping or melted wax.

• Never leave a candle unattended
• Keep candles on high surfaces especially if you have young children or pets in the home that could knock over the candle.
• Never burn a candle on or near anything that can catch on fire. 3 out of 5 fires start when candles are close to something that can burn. Keep Candles 1 foot (30 centimetres) away from anything that can catch fire.
• Never us a candle as a night light or while you may fall asleep.
• Be very careful when using candles during a power outage. Flashlights and other battery-powered lights are a safer source.
• Never use a candle if there is stored oxygen in the house (i.e. a medical oxygen tank).
• Once candles are lit, place the lighter or matches back in a locked box so children can not access them.

• Use a candle snuffer to extinguish a candle. This is the safest way to prevent hot wax from splattering.
• Don’t use water to extinguish a candle. Water can cause the hot wax to splatter.
• Always make sure the candle is completely out and the wick is no longer glowing before leaving the room.
• Never move or touch a candle until it is completely cooled.
• ALWAYS blow out the candle when you leave the room.

Consider using flameless candles in your home. They look and smell like real candles.

• Sometimes, lit candles are used in religious services, in places of worship and in the home.
• December is the peak time of year for home candle fires, as they hold a prominent place in religious observations and also are a very popular addition to holiday décor.
• When lighting candles at a candle lighting service, have the person with the unlit candle dip their candle into the flame of the lit candle.
• Handled candles should not be passed from person to person.
• Candles placed on, or near tables, altars, or shrines, must be watched by an adult.
• If a candle must burn continuously, be sure it is enclosed in a glass container and placed in a sink, on a metal tray, or in a deep basin filled with water.