How to use Candles and Wax Melts safely
Candles
Candles in the home are now getting a more and more popular way to add relaxation to our homes, they mark special occasions and create a special atmosphere, but please follow the safety guide below.
To get the best from your candle, when lighting for the first time, allow the candle to burn for a minimum of 2 hours to ensure an even melt pool before extinguishing.
The Do’s and Dont’s
- Always put candles on a heat resistant surface. Be especially careful with night lights and tea lights, which get hot enough to melt plastic. TVs are not fire-resistant objects
- Put them in a proper holder. Candles need to be held firmly upright by the holder so they won’t fall over. The holder needs to be stable too, so it won’t fall over either
- Position them away from curtains. Don’t put candles near curtains or other fabrics – or furniture. And keep them out of draughts
- Don’t put them under shelves. It’s easy to forget that there’s a lot of heat above a burning candle. If you put it under a shelf or other surface then it can burn the surface. Make sure there’s at least three feet (one metre) between a candle and any surface above it
- Keep clothes and hair away. If there’s any chance you could lean across a candle and forget it’s there, put it somewhere else. You don’t want to set fire to your clothes or your hair
- Keep children and pets away. Candles should be out of reach of children and pets
- Keep candles apart. Leave at least four inches (10cm) between two burning candles
- Take care with votive or scented candles. These kinds of candles turn to liquid to release their fragrance, so put them in a glass or metal holder
- Don’t move them when they’re burning. Extinguish candles before moving them. Also, don’t let anything fall into the hot wax like match sticks
- Don’t leave them burning. Extinguish candles before you leave a room. Never go to sleep with a candle still burning. And never leave a burning candle or oil burner in a child’s bedroom
- Use a snuffer or a spoon to put them out. It’s safer than blowing them, which can send sparks and hot wax flying
- Double check they’re out. Candles that have been put out can go on smouldering and start a fire. Make sure they’re completely out.
- Discontinue use when 12mm /1/2 inch off wax remains at the bottom of the glass
- Never burn your candle for more than 4 hours at a time.
Wax Melts
- Check your burner regularly for any cracks or damage
- Do not overfill your burner
- NEVER add water to your burner
- Use with an unscented Tea light
- Keep away from children and pets.
- Keep away from draughts
- Never leave a lit candle unattended
- Place on a heatproof surface away from Curtains and furnishings
- Burners get HOT! Do not move until it has completely cooled down.