Whether they are birthday candles or just specialty scented candles that remind you of your favorite book, candles smell great.
When you light a candle at night, it can be a calming end to a stressful day. But at the same time, you might find yourself wondering if candles can start a fire. The problem is an open and unattended flame can. Whether they are birthday candles or just specialty scented candles that remind you of your favorite book, candles smell great. But here are some tips for preventing a fire started by a candle.
Play Keep Away
First of all, don’t let your kids or pets play around with the candles. Whether or not candles are lit, they can still hurt anyone who isn’t careful. Also, make sure that if someone is walking by and not paying attention, they can’t knock the candle over by accident. If the lit candles touch a carpet or even a hardwood floor, then you could have an emergency on your hands that you weren’t expecting.
Use Different Holders
The size of the candle holder matters just as much as the candles you burn. Different candles will require different holders – so don’t put a medium candle in a small container, for instance. Wherever you set them down, make sure the surface can withstand a little bit of heat. After all, you don’t want any plastic to melt and cause even more accidents or lead to a bigger fire if the plastic catches on fire as well.
Don’t Put It Out with Water
Even if it’s not your birthday or a special occasion, close your eyes and make a wish. Blow out candles when you plan to leave the room, or don’t want to let the candle burn any longer. But whatever you do, even if you use a candle snuffer, don’t put it out with some water. Water will not get along with hot wax or hot glass.
Don’t Use Them in Blackouts
Foul weather can knock your power out. Whether it’s strong winds or a power surge, blackouts can and do happen unexpectedly. But even though you’ve always heard a candle makes for a light in a pinch, you’re better off using the flashlight feature on your smartphone. You could also use a standard flashlight or a handheld light powered by batteries or hand-cranks.
Commercial and Residential Fire Prevention from Judd Fire Protection
If you want to ensure your home and business are safe throughout the year, trust Judd Fire Protection, LLC. We have over two decades of experience in designing, installing, inspecting, and repairing residential and commercial fire protection systems. We serve clients throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., Virginia, and West Virginia. If you are interested in finding out more about our services and protecting your home and business, give us a call at 410-871-3480 or contact us online. For more fire safety tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.