Safety First

Yesterday I wrote about the candles I've collected over the years that I haven't burned. In addition to a desire to "save" those candles for the perfect occasion, I was also reluctant to burn them in my home because I have always had rambunctious cats. I still have rambunctious cats - and now I also have rambunctious children - but I have finally realized that candles, cats and kids can co-exist safely if a few simple precautions are taken.

Below is a list of basic candle safety guidelines. Most of this is just pure common sense. But safety is important, so these things are worth repeating:

General Candle Safety

Always be sure to trim the wick to about 1/4 inch length before lighting.

Never burn a candle near curtains, paper, or other flammable objects.

Never leave a burning candle unattended.

Do not burn candles for more than about four hours at a time.


Candles and Animals

Place lit candles on the highest stable structure you can find to prevent animals from walking around them and knocking them over.

Never leave a burning candle unattended.


Candles and Kids

Place lit candles on the highest stable structure you can find to prevent children from touching them or knocking them over.

Instruct children about the dangers of fire and forbid them from ever lighting candles without you. Then hide the matches.

Never leave a burning candle unattended. (Are you sensing a pattern here?)


If you still feel uncomfortable having flames around pets and kids, there are other ways to enjoy your scented candles. If you have a coffee-cup style tart burner, remove the portion that holds the tart wax and place a jar candle on the heating pad. Note: Never place a votive or pillar candle on a heating device.

An innovative product is now on the market that takes candle warming a step further. It's called the Candle Lamp and it heats your candle from the top down. This looks like such a fantastic idea that I've put the product on my holiday wish list. If I get one, maybe I'll do a review for this Blog in the new year . . .

Warming devices still need to be kept away from children and animals because warm wax, hot heating surfaces and electrical outlets present hazards of their own. It is advisable to never leave a heated candle unattended even if it isn't lit by a flame, and don't keep the warmer on for longer than is suggested by the product's manufacturer.

Whether you opt to light or to warm, keep safety in mind and you can enjoy the mood enhancing fragrance of your favorite candles when ever and where ever you wish!