Never Leave a Burning Candle Unattended

This is perhaps the most important safety tip. Always ensure that you extinguish any lit candles before leaving a room or going to sleep. A sudden draft or an accidental knock could easily lead to an uncontrolled fire if a candle is left unattended.

Keep Away from Flammable Materials

Ensure that your candle is placed away from curtains, books, paper, or any other flammable material. A safe distance of at least 12 inches (30cm) between your candle and other objects is recommended. Also, avoid placing candles near flammable liquids or aerosols.

Use a Heat-Resistant Surface

Always place your candle on a heat-resistant surface. This helps prevent heat damage to underlying surfaces and prevents fires in case the candle is knocked over.

Trim the Wick Regularly

Before lighting your candle, make sure the wick is trimmed to about 1/4-inch. Long or crooked wicks can cause uneven burning, dripping, or flaring.

Avoid Drafty Areas

Keep candles away from drafts, vents, ceiling fans, and air currents. This will help prevent rapid, uneven burning, and avoid flame flare-ups and soot. Drafts can also blow lightweight curtains or papers into the flame where they could catch fire.

Trim the Wick

Before each burn, make sure to trim your wick to about 1/4 inch. This will help it to burn more slowly and evenly, and it will prevent any unnecessary smoke. Use a wick trimmer for the best results.

Let It Burn

The first time you light your candle, allow it to burn until the entire top layer of wax becomes a pool of liquid, usually about 2-3 hours. This will help the candle burn down evenly, preventing “tunneling” (when only the center of the candle burns, leaving hard wax around the outside).

Keep It Clean

Keep the wax pool free of wick trimmings, matches, and any other debris to prevent flaring or uneven burning. This debris can also act as a second wick, causing the candle to burn faster.

Store Properly

When not in use, store your candle in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to protect the wax and fragrance. You can also use a candle lid or cover to keep dust off the wax and preserve the scent.

Avoid Drafts

Always burn your candle in a well-ventilated room, away from drafts, vents, fans, or air currents. This will help prevent soot and also help the candle burn more evenly, which extends its life.