Candles are used in 70% of U.S. households, according to the National Candle Association. But they need to be used carefully. The U.S. Fire Administration says that an average of 42 candle-related fires are reported every day.
The NCA has tips for safe use of candles:
- Never leave a burning candle unattended. If leaving a room, extinguish all candles and ensure the wick ember isn’t glowing.
- Never burn a candle on or near anything that can catch fire, including furniture, drapes, bedding and paper.
- Keep lit candles away from children and pets.
- Before burning a candle, trim its wick to one-fourth of an inch.
- Don’t burn a candle longer than the manufacturer recommends.
- Burn candles in a well-ventilated room and avoid burning too many in a small room where air exchange is restricted.
- Blow out a candle when 2 inches of wax remains, or half an inch if the candle is in a container.
- Never attempt to remove wax drippings from a glass holder with a sharp object. This could weaken the glass, causing it to break during subsequent use.
- To help prevent hot wax splatters, use a snuffer to extinguish a flame.
- In the event of a power outage, flashlights are safer than candles.
- Don’t use a candle as a nightlight.
