7 Essential At-Home Candle Safety Tips You Absolutely Should Be Following

There's no better way to fill your home with warmth and coziness than burning candles. Light a candle and you add instant hygge to any space. But since there is an open flame involved, safety is of utmost importance. When it comes to a candle's regular maintenance, location, and burn time, certain precautions should be taken to protect yourself, your home, and your belongings.

If you're not sure where to start, Julie Maskulka, founder and CEO of Anecdote Candles, shares her top candle safety tips. She shares why trimming wicks regularly is important, exactly how long to burn a candle for, and how and where to burn candles to maximize your enjoyment of their delightful scent. Plus, learn how to minimize the risk of damage and fire hazards.

1. Never Leave Burning Candles Unattended

Safety is of utmost importance when burning candles in your home. For that reason, you should never leave them unattended. "You should always burn candles in an area of your home where you can monitor activity and enjoy the scent," Maskulka says. If candles are burning out of your sight, it's easy to forget they are still lit when you go to bed or leave the house, so always keep an eye on all burning candles for safety purposes.

2. Burn Candles Away From Drafts

Where you choose to burn candles is key not only for avoiding heat damage and fire hazards, but the proper location can help you extend the life of the candle and to be able to fully enjoy its scent.

"Avoid drafty rooms (open windows, or around heating and cooling vents), as they can cause uneven heating or poor performance," Maskulka says. She explains that drafts can absorb the scent, plus a strong draft can blow a candle out and spread hot wax and soot on the surfaces surrounding the candle.

3. Trim Wicks Every Time

It only takes a few seconds to trim a candle wick, yet it's an essential step most of us skip when burning candles. "Always trim the wick, each and every time, and even throughout the burn session if necessary," Maskulka advises.

She stresses the importance of trimming wicks regularly. "A trimmed wick allows the candle to burn clean, evenly, and slowly, extending the life of your candle up to 20% longer," she says.

She compares trimming a candle wick to another routine chore many people skip. "Our staff jokes that trimming your wicks is like flossing—we can tell who does it once in a while and who does it consistently," she says. "There are visual cues—mainly excess soot—that will reveal your candle-burning habits!"

4. Burn Candles for 3-4 Hour Periods

Burn a candle for too long and it can lead to a fire hazard—but if you don't burn it for long enough, you'll get the annoying mushrooming effect. So what's the optimal length of time to burn candles? "It’s best to burn them for 3–4 hours at a time—and allow the wax to melt all the way to the edge for an even burn," Maskulka shares. If you burn it for longer, she says you run the risk of burning off the fragrance.

5. Choose an Appropriately Sized Candle for Your Space

It may not seem like the size of the candle plays any role, but Maskulka recommends selecting a candle that's in proportion to the size of the room. "Choose the size of candle appropriate to the size of the room, as the larger the candle, the further the scent throw," she says. The scent throw refers to the strength of the candle's fragrance. A candle that's too small won't fill the room with scent, while a large candle can quickly overpower a small room. "Travel tins are great for small rooms like bathrooms, jars are perfect for most average rooms, and tumblers are ideal for larger spaces," Maskulka says.

6. Place Burning Candles On Heat-Safe Surfaces

To avoid permanent heat damage to your coffee table or kitchen countertop, make sure there is a barrier between the burning candle and the surface it sits on. "Never place candles on a non-heat-safe surface, like wood tables or shelves, as all candles can generate heat and cause surface damage or safety issues," Maskulka says. She recommends placing the candle on a metal trivet to protect the surface underneath from potential damage or overheating.

7. Take Care When Burning Candles In Bathrooms

A beautiful scented candle is a lovely way to enjoy a relaxing bath—but take special caution when burning a candle in a bathroom. "Bathrooms are also a cautionary place—many times people forget they left it there," Maskulka says.

Additionally, there may be flammables—such as hair spray—lingering nearby. "And, believe it or not, burning a candle near the mirror may have adverse effects—the heat can reflect off of that and may cause an uneven burn, or the container can get very hot from that extra heat," Maskulka explains.