Don't forget - trim the wick! Essential Candle Safety Rules
I LOVE lighting candles in my home.
Sometimes, I have multiple going at once! I've never had an issue with any of my lit candles, but an accident only needs to happen once! I'm diligent about candle safety and I always remember to follow these rules when burning candles - they are after all flammable objects!
Here are some rules that should always be followed for safe candle burning.
Wick trimming is an integral part of candle upkeep and safety.
1. ALWAYS trim the candles wick before each burn.
This helps to prevent mushrooming, and keeps the flame from getting too large, which can overheat the container.
What tools can you use to trim a candle wick?
I have a wick trimmer (which I highly recommend getting if you're an avid candle burner!) but you could also use a pair of nail clippers or scissors to get down into the wick. An official wick trimmer works great as the candle burns down in the container.
Cut your wick down to 1/4" for best results.
2. You should never burn a candle for longer than 4 hours at a time.
If you plan on having a candle burn for longer, it would be a good idea to blow out the candle, give a quick trim, and then relight again to control the flame height and possible mushrooming.
What is mushrooming? "Mushrooms" are built up soot or carbon particles that can develop at the top of the wick.
Some mushrooming is considered normal, and an indication that the wick needs to be trimmed. Extreme mushrooming can be problematic and can cause the candle to overheat!
3. NEVER leave a candle unattended, especially around children and pets.
Objects frequently go flying in my house! You never know if Elsa's cape is going to go flying through the air around a burning candle!
The same can be said for cats who climb, or wagging tails.
4. Keep flammable objects far away from a burning candle.
That includes papers, curtains, tall knick knacks that could easily fall over etc.
Follow these rules to ensure a clean, safe burn for your candles!