If you have ever walked into a candle store, you know that there are hundreds, if not thousands of different scents you can choose from to make your home or office smell great. It may be hard to choose the one scent that is just right. But when you find that perfect scent, you will probably want to stock up on that particular candle so that you will have it for a long time. Another thing you might want to stock up on is your knowledge of candle safety.
What harm can a little ol’ candle do, you ask? Well, according to the United States Fire Administration, approximately 15,260 home fires due to candles are reported across the US each year. To prevent your home from becoming a part of that big number, follow these safety tips:
- Never leave a lit candle unattended. Keep it within your sight the entire time it is lit.
- Do not light candles in drafty areas.
- Do not place candles within 12 inches of anything that could catch fire. Keep them even farther from drapes or blinds that may move in the breeze.
- Always extinguish candles before you leave the room or go to bed.
- Do not light candles near children or pets. Keep them out of their reach.=
- Do not use them as decorations on Christmas trees.
- Always use a proper holder that is heat resistant and can keep a candle sturdy.
- Trim your wicks to ¼ inch before lighting. This will keep the flame low.
- Do not let a candle burn all the way down as it can cause the holder to shatter.
These are just a few things to remember when lighting your candles this fall and always. As long as you always keep safety in mind when using candles, you should be A-OK.
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