5 Tips for Holiday Candle Safety
Real-flame candles add a beautiful ambience to the holiday festivities, but their use also adds a degree of risk for fire. These holiday candle safety tips will help you enjoy real-flame candles this holiday season while ensuring you use them as safely as possible.
The History of Candles
Candles have been associated with the holiday season since at least the late 18th century, when they were used to decorate the first Christmas trees, a tradition that started in Germany. The worldwide popularity of the lighted Christmas tree grew when it was adopted by the court of Queen Victoria in the early 1800s. Although electrically powered lights became more common in the late 1800s, real-flame Christmas candles retained their association with the holidays and remain a tradition in households around the world.
Holiday Candle Fire Prevention
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, the top-three days of the year for home candle fires are Christmas, New Year’s Day and Christmas Eve. If you’re planning on using candles for home decoration this holiday season, following these tips will help reduce the risk of those candles starting a dangerous fire:
- Make Space: Keep lit candles at least 12 inches from anything that can burn, including furniture, drapes, bedding, carpets, books, paper and flammable decorations. Nearly half of candle fires are caused by candles placed too close to flammable objects, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Picture courtesy of U.S. Fire Administration
- Keep Them in Sight: Keep lit candles in sight, and blow them out when you leave a room or home, or when you go to bed.
Picture courtesy of U.S. Fire Administration
- Use Candle Holders: When you use candles, place them in a sturdy, safe candle holder that will not burn or tip over.
Picture courtesy of U.S. Fire Administration
- Watch Kids and Pets: Keep candles out of reach of children and pets who could be burned by the flame or knock the candle over, causing a fire.
Picture courtesy of U.S. Fire Administration
- Avoid Drafts: Keep candles away from drafts, vents, fans and other causes of fast moving air.
Your safety is a top priority and a core value for LuDela. Whether you use our candles or other traditional candles, please follow the above candle safety tips this holiday season, take precautions and use good judgment.
Happy Holidays from LuDela!
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