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Candle Burning Safety Rules

1. When burning a candle be sure to always use a candleholder that is specifically designed for candle use.  Check the candleholder to assure it is heat resistant, large enough to hold melted wax or any candle wax drips.  

2. Be certain to place your candles on a heat resistant surface which is safe, stable, and away from anything flammable. Heat resistance surfaces will prevent your glass candle containers from breaking and prevent damage to the surface under the container.

3. Burn your candles where they can be supervised and out of reach of children and any pets.  

Candle Burning Safety Rules

Candle Burning Safety Rules

 4. Be sure to trim candle wicks to 1/4 inch prior to each burning.  Candles that are too long will result in uneven burning and wax dripping. Do not trim less than 1/4 inch to assure your candle will burn hot enough to evenly melt your candle evenly from each side of the container.  

5. Never burn a candle, even when supervised, near anything that can cause a fire.  Place candles at least 12 inches away from anything flammable. 

6. Never leave a candle burning when you are not within sight, extinguish all candles before leaving your home or office, before going to sleep, and be sure the wick is completely blown out and the wick is not glowing. 

7. Be sure to carefully read and follow the use and safety instructions provided by each manufacturer of candles you purchase.  In particular, don't burn a candle any longer than what is recommended by the manufacturer.  

8. Never use candles as a nightlight...ever.  Be prepared with flashlights and other battery-powered lights for use when experiencing a power outage. Candles are not the best resource for light during a power outage and extreme caution must be used.  While flashlights and battery-powered lampls are safe sources of light during a power outage, candles are also considered reliable alternatives but when used safely.  An estimated 20% of candle fires involving fatalities occur concurrently with a loss of electrical power.

9.  Prevent candles from flaring by never leaving matches or candle wick trimmings in your melted wax, or candle drippings.

10.  To prevent black soot, flare-ups, and uneven burning, keep your burning candles away from all drafts, outside doors, open windows, ceiling fans, air ducts, etc.  Never burn a candle on or near anything that can catch on fire.  Be sure to keep burning candles away from drapes, bedding, carpets, books, paper, flammable decorations, electronics, and any other light-weight items that could be blown or dropped onto a candle and cause a fire.

11.  Always place candles at least 3-4 inches away from each other to assure the heat from the candles won't melt one another or burn improperly by the drafts created. 
12.  Candles need to be burned in a room that is ventilated well and not so small where air exchange is limited.  Don't burn too many candles at one time in a room that is too small. 

13. Never remove wax drippings from a glass container or candle holder with a knife or other sharp object.  Doing so might scratch or damage the glass causing it to break the next time the candle is burned. 

14. When burning a candle, never touch or try to move the candle, from one location to another, when the wax is liquid.  Candle containers will be very hot. 

15. For your safety, stop burning a candle in a container when there is only 1/2 inch of wax left in the container.  Don't burn a candle all the way down and extinguish a candle flame if the flame or wick moves too close to the candle container or candle holder. 

16.  To extinguish candles safely, cup your hand behind the flame before blowing it out or snuff out the flame with a metal candle snuffer.  Sparks or embers, if blown from the candle, could ignite combustibles nearby.

17. Rather than burning taper candles consider using pillar or broader-based candles during a power outage, as they're less likely to be accidentally knocked over.  When possible, enclose candles within glass globes to prevent burns or fires.

18. Never try to extinguish a candle with water.  Doing so can cause the hot wax to splatter and glass candle containers to break.  The safest method for extinguishing a candle and to prevent hot wax from being spilled is to extinguish a candle with a candle snuffer.



Burning candles create ambiance, fill a room with wonderful scents, and offer a special beauty when burning, but a lighted candle is also an open flame, and if not carefully monitored a candle can become a potential fire hazard.  For your safety, please be sure to review our guidelines for safely burning candles in your home or office. 

Easy Fundraising Ideas
Deb Murray, National Fundraising Rep
Serving the 48 contiguous United States