If you are making candles to sell on it is a good idea to make customers learn how to be careful with candles. Candles mark special occasions and create a special atmosphere. They also bring fire into the home so they must be treated carefully. Here are some guidelines that can help to educate people on the dangers of candles and how to minimise the risks. When making candles it is a good idea to have a fire blanket and or a powder fire extinguisher to hand just in case.
If you are selling the candles to members of the public or even your family and friends put safety stickers on the candles.
Even make a poster using the details below and show it at point of sale.
Don't put a candle under shelves. It's easy to forget that there's a lot of heat above a burning candle. If you put it under a shelf or other surface then it can burn the surface. Make sure there's at least three feet (one metre) between a candle and any surface above it.
Don't move a candle when it is burning. Extinguish candles before moving them. Also, don't let anything fall into the hot wax like match sticks.
Never leave a candle burning. Extinguish candles before you leave a room. Never go to sleep with a candle still burning. And never leave a burning candle or oil burner in a child's bedroom.
Put candles on a heat resistant surface. Be especially careful with night lights and tea light candles, which get hot enough to melt plastic. TVs are not fire-resistant objects
Position the candle away from curtains. Don't put candles near curtains or other fabrics - or furniture. And keep them out of draughts.
Keep children and pets away. Candles should be out of reach of children and pets.
Take care with votive candles.These kinds of candles turn to liquid to release their fragrance, so put them in a glass or metal holder.
Double-check they're out. Candles that have been put out can go on smouldering and start a fire. Make sure they're completely out
Put your candle in a proper holder. Candles need to be held firmly upright by the holder so they won't fall over. The holder needs to be stable too, so it won't fall over either.
Keep clothes and hair away from a burning candle. If there's any chance you could lean across a candle and forget it's there, put it somewhere else. You don't want to set fire to your clothes or your hair.
Keep candles apart. Leave at least four inches (10cm) between two burning candles.
Use a snuffer or a spoon to put them out. It's safer than blowing them, which can send sparks and hot wax flying.
