Enhance the warmth and coziness in your home by lighting candles. Adding instant hygge to any space, candles bring a sense of comfort and ambiance. However, as open flames are involved, safety is paramount. To ensure the safety of yourself, your home, and your belongings, certain precautions must be taken regarding the maintenance, placement, and burning time of candles.
For expert tips on candle safety, Julie Maskulka, founder and CEO of Anecdote Candles, provides valuable advice. She emphasizes the importance of regularly trimming wicks, proper burn times, and suitable locations for burning candles to fully enjoy their delightful scents while minimizing risks of damage and fire hazards.
Key safety tips include never leaving burning candles unattended, as constant monitoring is crucial for safety. Burning candles away from drafts is also advised to avoid uneven heating and poor performance. Additionally, trimming wicks before each burn helps candles burn cleanly and evenly, extending their lifespan up to 20% longer.
Optimal burn times of 3-4 hours are recommended to prevent fire hazards and ensure a consistent fragrance release. Choosing an appropriately sized candle for the room is also important for safe and effective use. By following these safety guidelines, you can enjoy the cozy ambiance and delightful scents of candles while prioritizing safety in your home.
“Regarding the scent throw,” she explains. The term scent throw pertains to the intensity of a candle’s fragrance. A candle that is too small may not sufficiently fill a room with its scent, while a large candle can easily overwhelm a smaller space. “Travel tins are suitable for compact areas like bathrooms, jars work well for most standard-sized rooms, and tumblers are best suited for larger spaces,” Maskulka advises.
6. Ensure Burning Candles Are Placed on Heat-Safe Surfaces
To prevent permanent heat damage to your coffee table or kitchen countertop, it is essential to have a protective barrier between the burning candle and the surface it is resting on. “Never position candles on surfaces that are not heat-safe, such as wooden tables or shelves, as all candles emit heat which can lead to surface damage or safety hazards,” Maskulka warns. She suggests using a metal trivet to safeguard the underlying surface from potential harm or overheating.
7. Exercise Caution When Burning Candles in Bathrooms
While a fragrant candle can enhance a relaxing bath experience, it is crucial to be extra cautious when burning one in a bathroom. “Bathrooms can pose risks as people often forget they have left a candle burning there,” Maskulka points out. Moreover, flammable items like hairspray may be present in the vicinity. “Surprisingly, placing a candle near a mirror can have unintended consequences—the heat may reflect off the mirror, leading to an uneven burn or causing the candle container to become excessively hot,” Maskulka elaborates.
This information was originally published on Better Homes & Gardens.
