HOW TO BURN YOUR CANDLES SAFELY
Learn how to enjoy your candles the safe way
HOW CANDLES WORK
Candles generate both light and heat through the process of combustion.
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While it may look like a candles wick is on fire, it's actually the wax that is burning. The wick is absorbent, and therefore draws the molten wax up towards the flame where it ignites and vaporises.
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The burning wax vapour produces the majority of the light and heat, and is why the wick lasts so long and doesn't just burn away. Once the wax has been used up the candle can no longer burn, as there is no more fuel for the fire.
THE MOST IMPORTANT CANDLE SAFETY RULES
Remember that a candle is a naked flame that can easily spread if not handled properly.
Never leave a lit candle unattended.
Never burn a candle on or near anything that might catch fire.
Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets.
HOW TO USE CANDLES
Step 1: Before lighting your candle
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Trim the Wick
Before lighting a candle for the first time, or relighting a previously used one, trim the wick to approximately 3-5mm. Long or crooked wicks can cause uneven burning, dripping or flaring.
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Consider your Environment
Don't burn too many candles in the same or small room, or where ventilation is limited.
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Make sure there is nothing flammable near your candle. Keep burning candles away from furniture, curtains, bedding, carpets, books, clothing and gas, chemicals (such as cleaning products) or oxygen.
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Never place a candle under a shelf as they produce a lot of heat that could turn into a fire quickly. Ideally leave at least 1 meter between the flame and any surface above.
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Pick a Suitable Location to Set Your Candle
Place the candle on a flat, stable and heat-resistant surface. If you can, use a candle holder suited to your candle type. It should be heat-resistant, sturdy and large enough to catch any stray drips or hot wax.
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Always put candles on a heat-restant surface, even ones already in containers as they still get hot. Be especially careful with smaller candles such as tea lights and votives.
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Keep the Wax Pool Clear
Cleanliness is close to Godliness! Make sure your candle is free of debris at all times such wick trimmings and matches.
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Avoid Air Currents
Make sure that you place candles away from any draughts, vents, fans or other air flows. This will help prevent rapid and uneven burning and avoid flare-ups. Strong draughts could blow nearby lightweight items onto your candle where they could catch fire.
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Step 2: While your candle is lit
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Never Touch or Move a Burning Candle
Don't touch your candle or attempt to move it while lit. The candle will be hot to the touch and the molten wax will easily move around and spill.
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Don't Burn to the Very End
It is recommended that you burn your candle no further than the last 1cm of wax. This ensure the wick remains upright and the burn stays under control.
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Keep a Distance Between Candles
When arranging multiple candles, make sure that they are placed at least 10cm apart from each other. This will help stop the candles melting each other, or creating their own draughts which could cause uneven and improper burning.
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Know When to Extinguish a Candle
Put the flame out if it gets too high or flickers repeatedly.
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Stay Within Sight
Burning candles is a potential fire hazard due to their very nature. Therefore never leave a candle unattended or out of sight in the event of unpredictable activity.
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If you need to leave the room where you are burning a candle, always extinguish it first.
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Never Use as a Night Light
Although the flicker of a candle in a dimly lit room is attractive. Never leave one burning when you go to bed to sleep, and if you feel drowsy while burning candles, blow them out. Its not worth the risk!
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Keep Out of Reach
Never place a candle where a child or animal can reach it or it can be knocked over.
Step 3: Troubleshooting
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If your candle isn't burning correctly e.g. is smoking, flickering or the flame becomes too high. You must take the following steps;
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Extinguish the candle
Let it fully cool down - do not attempt to move it while cooling
Trim and recentre the wick
Check for draughts before relighting
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Step 4: Extinguishing your candle
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Use a Candle Snuffer
Snuffing out a candle using a specially made snuffer is the safest way to extinguish your candle as it minimises accidentally knocking the candle over and blowing hot wax everywhere.
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A candle snuffer starves the flame of oxygen ensuring it goes out gently without giving the wax a chance to splatter. If you don't own a snuffer, try a metal teaspoon.
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Never Use Water
Mixing cold water with hot wax can send the wax splattering everywhere and is a risk to causing burns. The cold water can also be extremely dangerous to glass candle holders as the sudden drop in temperature can cause the glass to crack or shatter.
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Double Check
Make sure your candle is fully extinguished. Before leaving the room or falling asleep, double check to make sure that the wick ember has stopped glowing.
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Don't Touch
Leave the candle to cool after extinguishing the flame naturally, never attempt to move or touch as this could lead to injury.
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Don't Scratch
Never use sharp objects such as knives to remove unwanted wax drippings from a glass holder as this might scratch, weaken or cause the glass to break upon subsequent use
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In the event you have further questions or still aren’t sure, get in touch with us at scentsbyseraphim@gmail.com and we will be happy to provide further guidance.
TOP TIPS
For optimal burning, trim your wick to 3mm before each use to avoid smoking and overheating.
Always place candles on a protective surface.
The first burn of a new candle should be long enough for the entire top layer of wax to liquefy. This will ensure an even burn for future use.
Refrain from burning candles longer than 3 hours at a time, and never burn a candle when there is less than 1cm of wax at the base.
Never leave a candle burning unattended or within reach of draughts, pets, or small children.
Candle containers get hot during use, so allow the wax to cool completely before handling
Once the flame is extinguished make sure the wick is upright and centred.
Extinguish the flame carefully by snuffing it rather than blowing on it.