I love candles. I really do. But when I first started making them (not that long ago), I made every rookie mistake. I left one burning while I went for a walk. I put another too close to a curtain. I even forgot to trim the wick – for weeks.

Nothing bad happened, luckily. But it made me realize: most of us don’t actually know the basic safety rules for candles. So I researched, tested, and now here I am. Now I follow these tips every single time. They work for any candle – including our Kerasoy ones.

Let’s get into it. No scare tactics, just what works.

1. The Golden Rule: Never Leave a Burning Candle Unattended

This sounds obvious, but let me be specific.

Never means:

• Don’t leave the room for more than 10 minutes.
• Don’t go to sleep with a candle burning.
• Don’t leave it burning when you leave the house – even to check the mail.

I learned this the hard way when I ran to grab a package and came back to a flickering flame next to a stack of papers. Close call.

My rule now: Light a candle, set a timer on my phone for 2 hours(max 4 hours). When the timer goes off, I blow it out. Even if I want to relight it later, the act of blowing it out forces me to check on it.

2. Where to Put a Candle (The Safe Spots)

Choose a location that is:

• Flat and stable – No wobbling. A ceramic coaster or a metal tray is perfect.
• Heat-resistant surface – Stone, tile, glass, or thick wood. Not a plastic tablecloth.
• Away from drafts – Drafts cause uneven burning, soot, and flickering that can catch nearby things.
• At least 12 inches from anything flammable – That includes curtains, papers, bedding, and your favorite scarf.

Best spots in a room:

• Center of a dining table (nothing else on it).
• Mantelpiece (but watch for low-hanging artwork).
• Bathroom counter (away from towels and toilet paper).

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3. Where You Should Never Put a Candle

This is the list that saved my curtains – literally.

❌ Near an open window

The breeze will blow the flame sideways. It can catch the curtain, or the flame can get big enough to singe the windowsill. Close the window or move the candle.

❌ Under a shelf or cabinet

Heat rises. If your candle is under a wooden shelf, that shelf gets hot – and after many burns, it can discolor or even ignite. Leave at least 3 feet of clearance above.

❌ On a cluttered desk or nightstand

Papers, books, phone chargers, and that pile of laundry? All fuel. Give your candle its own clear zone.

❌ Near kids or pets

Obvious, but worth saying: a wagging tail or a curious toddler can knock over a candle in one second. Use a hurricane glass cover or keep candles on high shelves.

❌ On an uneven surface

A stack of books, a wobbly side table, or a soft couch cushion – no. If you bump the table, the candle tips. Hot wax on fabric is a mess. Hot wax on skin is worse.

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4. Trim Your Wick – Every Single Time

This is the #1 candle mistake I made when I started.

A long wick creates a tall, smoky flame that burns too hot. It soots your walls, tunnels your wax, and increases fire risk.

What I do now:

• Before every burn, trim the wick to ¼ inch (about 6 mm).
• I use a wick trimmer (looks like a weird little scissors) – but nail clippers work too. Regular scissors crush the wick, so I avoid them.
• If I see a “mushroom” on the end of the wick (a black bulb), I trim it off. That’s unburned carbon.

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5. The First Burn is Crucial (Don’t Mess This Up)

I ruined my first two candles this way. Lit them for 30 minutes, blew them out, and then wondered why they tunneled.

When you light a brand new candle, you need to let it burn until the entire top surface becomes liquid wax – all the way to the edges. This is called a “full melt pool.”

Why? Candles have “memory.” If you blow out a candle before it reaches the edges, it will tunnel – meaning it will only melt a small circle down the middle, leaving wasted wax on the sides.

How long does that take?

• Small candle (4 oz): about 1–2 hours.
• Medium (8 oz): 2–3 hours.
• Large (12 oz or more): 3–4 hours.

Pro tip: Don’t burn any candle for more than 4 hours at a time. The wax gets too hot, the wick can drown, and the glass jar can overheat.

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6. How to Properly Extinguish a Candle (Don’t Just Blow)

Blowing out a candle seems fine, but I’ve sent hot wax flying across my desk more than once. Also, if you blow too hard, the wick can glow red and keep smoldering.

Better methods I’ve switched to:

• Candle snuffer – A small bell on a stick. Lowers oxygen gently. No smoke, no splatter.
• Dip the wick – Use a wick dipper (or a paperclip) to push the wick into the melted wax, then pull it back up. It extinguishes without smoke.
• If I must blow – I blow gently from the side, not straight down. And I hold my hand behind the flame to block any wax spray.

Never use water to put out a candle. Hot wax + water = violent splatter and possible glass cracking.

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7. Know When to Stop Burning a Candle

That last half-inch of wax in the jar? Let it go.

Stop burning when there’s ½ inch (1.5 cm) of wax left at the bottom. Otherwise, the jar gets too hot, the wick tab can come loose, and the glass can crack.

What I do with leftover wax: I don’t throw the jar away. I pop it (not the hot jar) in the freezer for an hour. The wax shrinks and pops out. Then I have a clean jar for pens, spices, or small plants. Our Kerasoy wax cleans up with soap and hot water – no scrubbing.

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8. Seasonal Safety: Autumn & Winter Are Risky

Candle fires spike in December. Why?

• People burn more candles (cozy season).
• Dried Christmas trees and wreaths are extremely flammable.
• Space heaters and candles compete for attention.

Extra tips for holidays:

• Keep candles far from garlands, wreaths, and pine branches.
• Never put a candle on a Christmas tree – even a fake one.
• Check that your smoke alarms work before you start burning seasonal candles.

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Quick Safety Checklist (Save This)

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A Note on Our Candles

We use Kerasoy wax – a natural soy-based vegetable wax made in the UK. It burns cleaner and cooler than many alternatives. But safety rules apply to every candle, no matter how premium.

We choose heat-resistant jars, lead-free cotton wicks, and high-quality fragrance oils. Still, I follow every tip above. A safe candle is a happy candle – and I want you to enjoy them without worry.

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Final Thought: Candles Are Wonderful – Just Be Smart

I didn’t know any of this when I started my brand. I learned by making mistakes, reading fire safety guides, and asking people who knew more than me.

Now, lighting a candle is a simple pleasure – not a hidden risk. A few small habits (trimming wicks, checking placement, setting timers) make all the difference.

Go ahead, light something safely.

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