Approximately, 8,700 home fires per year are caused by candles. Learning how to safely light and burn them is the best way to avoid adding to this statistic. Below are some do’s and don’ts of burning candles to set a mood or enjoy their scent—without requiring fire restoration afterward.

Do:

Place them far away from all combustible objects.

Whenever you light a candle, always keep the flame at least four feet away from any combustible items. This includes objects like walls, curtains, furniture, bedding, and any paper materials. Also, ensure the candle is placed in a glass, ceramic, metal, or similar holder that will not catch fire.

Be mindful of the wick.

Before you light a candle, trim the wick if it is overly long. Fire restoration specialists recommend keeping the length no longer than a quarter-inch to avoid uneven burning, dripping, and flaring. Also, remove any wick trimmings that might have fallen in the wax to prevent multiple flames. 

Don’t:

Light in restricted or drafty areas.

Never light a candle sitting on a covered shelf or close to the ceiling of a room. While the flame might not be immediately next to these structures, the heat it produces can still cause damage. Also, avoid sitting a burning candle next to an air vent or open window. The draft can cause the flame to drift and catch hold of flammable objects nearby. 

Leave candles unattended.

You should always keep an eye on burning candles. Before going to sleep or leaving a room where they are lit, blow them out. Environments can change in an instant, and fire restoration experts know better than most that It only takes a moment for an unattended candle to turn into a disaster.

Safe burning can help you prevent a large fire, but if one does begin, act fast and call the fire restoration team at Rumpke Restoration to restore your home to its pre-damage condition.  This locally owned and operated business serves the Greater Cincinnati area, including the cities of Loveland, Milford, West Chester, Mason, Amelia, Batavia, Anderson, New Richmond, Northside, Hamilton, Fairfield, Springfield, and Dayton, OH; Clermont, Hamilton, Highland, and Warren counties; and the village of Indian Hill. Visit their website and call them today at (513) 786-7537 to learn more about their complete disaster restoration services, including mold removal, water restoration, and top-to-bottom home cleaning.