Candle Safety Tips

Underwriters Laboratories recommends the following candle safety tips:

• Never leave a burning candle unattended. Extinguish candles and make sure they are completely out and the wick embers are no longer glowing before leaving the room or going to sleep.
• Keep candles away from decorations, curtains, bedding, paper, walls, furniture and other combustible materials.
• Place candles out of the reach of children and pets and away from areas where they can be knocked over.
• Use sturdy, non-combustible candleholders that collect dripping wax and won't tip over.
• Extinguish a candle when 2 inches of wax remains or a half-inch if the candle is in a container. This prevents heat damage to the surface and stops glass containers from breaking.
• Never leave children unattended in a room with lit candles.
• Always keep candles — as well as matches and lighters — out of the reach of children.
• Never use lit candles to decorate Christmas trees.
• Keep burning candles away from flammable liquids.
• Avoid carrying a candle during a power outage. Use a flashlight.
• Never touch or move a burning candle when the wax is liquefied.