Scented candles are a lovely way to warm up a space — and a few simple habits keep them worry-free. Here are the essential candle safety tips.
Before you light
- Trim the wick to about 5 mm to keep the flame small and steady.
- Place the candle on a stable, heat-resistant surface.
- Keep it away from anything flammable — curtains, paper, décor.
While it’s burning
- Never leave a burning candle unattended.
- Keep it out of reach of children and pets.
- Burn away from drafts, which cause uneven burning and soot.
- Don’t burn for more than about 3–4 hours at a time.
- Keep burning candles at least 10 cm apart.
Putting it out
- Use a snuffer, or gently dip the wick into the wax and straighten it — this avoids smoke and hot splatter.
- Never use water to extinguish a candle.
- Make sure the flame is fully out before leaving the room.
When to stop using a candle
Stop burning when about 1 cm of wax remains at the base — burning to the very bottom can overheat the container.
Frequently asked questions
How long can I safely burn a candle?
Around 3–4 hours at a time. Let it cool and re-trim the wick before relighting.
Are soy candles safer than paraffin?
Soy candles burn cooler and cleaner with less soot; all candles should still be burned attended and away from flammable items. See soy vs paraffin.
Why is my candle smoking?
Usually an untrimmed wick or a draft. Trim the wick to ~5 mm and move the candle away from moving air.
Shop clean-burning, hand-poured soy candles at AromaceLuxe.
