Many people enjoy using candles in their homes. This happens even more during colder months, especially with the darker, shorter days. Unfortunately, many house fires are started by candle usage. How can this be avoided?
The reason most fires are started by candles is that the candle is burning too close to combustible materials, such as curtains, blankets, or furniture. Keep burning candles away from anything flammable. Be sure the candle is kept on a solid surface, unable to be knocked over by kids or pets. It has been recommended to trim the wick to ¼” so the flame does not get too big.
Another huge safety tip is to never fall asleep with candles burning. Many fires start in the bedroom due to people falling asleep and not knowing that the flame got out of control. If you leave the room, extinguish the candle. Also, if you use a match to light the candle, run it under water or let it cool on a heat-resistant surface before tossing it into the trash can. A warm match can easily ignite flammable material.
