Candle Safety 101: Why You Should Never Move a Lit Candle
At PUNKS & PEACOCKS, we believe in enjoying the beauty and ambiance of scented candles safely. One important safety tip that often goes overlooked is the risk associated with moving lit candles. This blog post explains why it's crucial to avoid relocating a burning candle, detailing the hazards involved and providing tips for safe candle enjoyment.
1. The Risks of Moving Lit Candles
Spilling Hot Wax
Moving a lit candle can cause hot wax to spill. This not only creates a mess but also poses a burn risk to the skin. Hot wax can quickly adhere to skin, causing painful burns that are difficult to cool and clean.
Increased Likelihood of Dropping
The act of moving a lit candle increases the risk of dropping it. Whether it slips out of your hand or gets bumped during movement, a dropped candle can break, spreading hot wax and possibly igniting nearby flammable materials.
Candle Jars Can Get Extremely Hot!
The picking up of a hot candle jar can take you by surprise resulting in possible burns to your hands, while the sudden reflex action of dropping the candle jar can cause ignition of nearby materials resulting in a fire.
Exposing Flames to Uncontrolled Airflows
Walking with a lit candle can expose the flame to varying air currents. This can cause the flame to flare unpredictably or smoke excessively, potentially leading to rapid changes in fire behavior that can ignite nearby objects.
2. Preventing Fire Hazards
Secure Placement
Always place candles on a stable, heat-resistant surface where they cannot be easily knocked over. Ensure the area around the candle is clear of flammable materials such as books, curtains, and decor items.
Use Proper Holders
Candle holders should be sturdy and sized appropriately for the candle to prevent tipping. Using a holder designed for the candle’s specific size and shape can greatly reduce the risk of accidents.
3. Safe Candle Practices
Lighting and Extinguishing
Light candles carefully, keeping hair and loose clothing away from the flame. When extinguishing a candle, use a snuffer or gently blow out the flame to avoid hot wax splatter, rather than moving the candle to a different location to extinguish it.
Monitoring and Maintenance
Never leave a lit candle unattended. Always keep candles within sight while they are burning and ensure all candles are extinguished before leaving a room or going to sleep. Regularly trim wicks to about 1/4 inch to ensure a cleaner burn and prevent tall, flickering flames.
Educating Everyone in the Home
Make sure all members of the household understand the risks associated with moving lit candles and the importance of adhering to safe candle practices. This includes educating children about fire safety and establishing rules about candle usage.
Conclusion
Enjoying the warm glow of candles safely is crucial to preventing fire hazards in your home. By understanding the risks involved with moving lit candles and following best practices for candle safety, you can enjoy the ambiance and fragrance of your candles without incident. At PUNKS & PEACOCKS, your safety is our priority, and we encourage all candle enthusiasts to light, enjoy, and extinguish their candles with care.