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Always keep a burning candle within sight. Extinguish all candles when leaving a room or before going to sleep.
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Never burn a candle on or near anything that can catch fire (e.g., furniture, drapes, bedding, carpets, books, paper, flammable decorations).
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Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets.
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Trim candle wicks to ¼ inch each time before burning. Long or crooked wicks cause uneven burning and dripping.
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Always use a candleholder specifically designed for candle use. The holder should be heat resistant, sturdy, and large enough to contain any drips or melted wax. Containers may become very hot - handle with care!
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Be sure the candleholder is placed on a stable, heat-resistant surface. This will help prevent possible heat damage to counters and table surfaces and prevent glass containers from cracking or breaking.
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Keep the wax pool free of wick trimmings, matches, and debris at all times.
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Always read and follow the manufacturer's use and safety instructions carefully. Don't burn a candle longer than the manufacturer recommends.
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Keep burning candles away from drafts, vents, ceiling fans, and air currents. This will help prevent rapid, uneven burning and avoid flame flare-ups and sooting. Drafts can also blow lightweight curtains or papers into the flame where they could catch fire.
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Always burn candles in a well-ventilated room. Don't burn too many candles in a small room or in areas where air exchange is limited.
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Don't burn a candle all the way down. Extinguish the flame if it comes too close to the bottom of the holder or container. For a margin of safety, discontinue burning a candle when ½ inch of wax remains in the container.
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Never touch a burning candle or move a votive or container candle when the wax is liquid.
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Never use a knife or sharp object to remove wax drippings from a glass holder. It might scratch, weaken, or cause the glass to break upon subsequent use.
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Place burning candles at least 3 inches apart from one another. This ensures they will not melt one another or create their own drafts that will cause improper burning.
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Never extinguish candles with water. The water can cause the hot wax to splatter and might cause a glass container to break.
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Be very careful if using candles during a power outage. Flashlights and other battery-powered lights are safer sources of light. Never use a candle during a power outage to look for things in a closet or when fueling equipment such as a lantern or kerosene heater.
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Make sure a candle is completely extinguished and the wick ember is no longer glowing before leaving the room.
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Extinguish a candle if it smokes, flickers repeatedly, or the flame becomes too high. The candle isn't burning properly and the flame isn't controlled. Let the candle cool, trim the wick, then check for drafts before re-lighting.
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Never use a candle as a night light.