If you're anything like us, and love candles, they are apart of everyday life. We light them while cooking, relaxing, or having a wind down in the evening. We recently saw a story shared on Instagram which was a reminder that even familiar routines that seem harmless, can carry risks if we aren't careful.
A woman on social media shared how she had been burning a candle in her kitchen for several hours. Once the wax has melted fully, she blew the candle out, which is what she usually does. She normally would have left the room after blowing the candle out, however this time she stayed.
Ultimately this decision could have prevented a house fire.
Unbeknown to her, a tiny ember floated from the candle after blowing it out and landed down the back of her sideboard, onto some napkins. At first she could smell smoke and assumed it was coming from her son cooking. Yet as she looked over, smoke began billowing from behind the sideboard. After moving it, they found the napkin smouldering, and as it was taken to be thrown out the window, it ignited into flames.
She then urged to use a candle snuffer instead of blowing out a candle.
Why Blowing Out Candles Can Be Risky
When blowing out a candle that has been burning for a long time, there's a chance that:
- Hot embers can become airborne
- Sparks can land on flammable items like paper, flowers, or fabric
- Smoke lingers near nearby surfaces
Most of the time, nothing will happen, until one time it does.
Easy Candle Safety Tips Everyone Should Follow
- Never leave a burning candle unattended
- Keep candles away from flammable items and clutter
- Avoid burning candles for excessive amounts of time
- Always stay in the room several minutes after extinguishing
- Avoid blowing out candles
The Safer Way to Extinguish Candles
A key takeaway from the story was the urgency to use a candle snuffer instead of blowing out a flame.
Candle snuffers safely extinguish flames without creating embers, reducing the risk of fires or smoke. They also help to protect the wick, extending the life of your candle.
This is why we have our own range of candle snuffers, which are:
- Safe and easy to use
- Stylish to leave out with your candles
https://crusadergifts.co.uk/products/woodside-home-living-cylinder-candle-snuffers
Final Takeaways
This story was shared as a warning to everyone. Candle safety is about awareness, not fear. Most of us have burned candles for years with no issues, yet it only takes one small thing to change that.