Soy Candles

These safety soy candle tips have been recommended by the National Candle Association.  While candles have been used and enjoyed for many decades in areas of romance, aromas, memories, etc. they can be dangerous.  Fires can happen if the consumer doesn’t take safety precautions when burning any type of candle.  The majority of fire incidents with candles are due to not paying attention to basic fire safety and/or misuse of candles.  This is what the national fire safety agencies are reporting.

Here are a list of fire safety measures to be aware of when burning any type of candle.

• Keep the burning candle in line of sight.  Never leave it burning if exiting the room or when going to bed.  Almost 40% of home candle fires were due to inadequate control, abandonment, or leaving them unattended.
• When burning a candle, be sure to check the environment for items that can catch fire.  Never burn a candle by any of these items!  Items like furniture, drapes, carpets, bedding, books and papers, flammable decor, etc.  Almost 20% or home candle fires were due to this situation happening.
• Be sure to keep candles away from, out of reach of, pets and children!  Check the placement of your burning candle.  Are they safely out of reach?
• Your candle-holder must be designed specifically for that candle.  It needs to be heat resistant and large enough to catch dripping wax.  Be sure the candle-holder is securely placed on a heat resistant surface that is stable.
• Drafts can cause items to blow into your burning candle and cause a fire.  Ceiling fans cause drafts.  Also drafts can cause uneven burning, smoking or excessive dripping of hot wax from your candle.
• Burn your candle in a well ventilated room and don’t burn it longer than the manufacturer recommendation.
• Keep the wax pool clear of any debris like: matches and wick trimmings.
• Each time before burning, trim the wick to 1/4 inch.  Long or crooked wicks can cause dripping of hot wax, smoking and soot, and uneven burning.
• Discontinue use of a candle when 2 inches of wax remains, 1/2 inch if the candle is in a container.  This prevents heat damage to the surface your candle is on and prevents breakage of the glass container.
• When the candle wax is in liquid form it is hot, so don’t move the votive, pillar or hot candle container.  Let it cool first!
• If using more than one candle at a time, place them at least 3 inches apart.  Then they won’t melt each other or cause their own drafts, causing them to burn improperly.
• To prevent wax from splattering, instead of blowing it out, try using a candle snuffer.  Don’t use water to put your flame out!  It can cause the hot wax to splatter and glass containers to break.
• During a power outage, candles are not the best source of safe light.  Flashlights are much safer.
• When searching a small space for items and there is no light, candles are not the best choice.  The space is small and the flame can easily ignite items.  Again a flashlight is a better choice.
• When trying to get a lantern or kerosene heater filled with fuel, never use a candle for your light source. 

These are just some of the candle safety tips to follow.  All of them are based on common sense.  When using anything that can be a potential fire hazard, think safety first and pleasure second.  Soy candles can bring much enjoyment into your life if used properly.