Candle Safety at Home, Without the Fuss

Five habits that keep an open flame comfortable in a house with pets, kids, and long evenings.

Keep the candle on a hard, level surface away from curtains, paper, and anything that moves in a draught.

Never leave a lit candle in an empty room, and never burn one through the night.

Stop burning when about a centimetre of wax is left. Below that the glass gets too hot to be safe.

Keep flames at least ten centimetres apart when you light several at once, otherwise they heat each other and flare.

Store candles out of direct sunlight. Heat softens wax and fades colour long before you get to light it.