Scented Candles and How To Enjoy Them Safely

Scented candles represent a little bit of affordable luxury. What better way is there to relax at the end of a hectic day than lighting a scented candles and sitting back with a good book to unwind. Candles add subtle fragrance and lighting to your home. It is, however, important to bear in mind that candles, unlike reed diffuser involve a burning flame and they should be used correctly at all times to ensure safety. Taking the following commonsense precautions will allow you to enjoy the beauty of scented candles in your home in complete safety:

1. Firstly, make sure you read and take note of any safety instructions which accompany your candle. These instructions are designed to help you get the most enjoyment from your candle.

2. Wherever possible try to buy the best quality scented candles you can afford. We are all swayed to an extent by budget, but cheap mass-produced candles, in addition to not lasting very long, may be dangerous. Some cheap candles may contain chemical agents which emit noxious, sooty fumes which adversely affect your indoor air quality, while others are housed in cheap glass containers which can crack or shatter when the candle is lit. Try to look for candles which are made by reputable, established manufacturers and which are preferably handmade rather than mass produced in a factory. It is also worth looking out for candles which are made from all-natural ingredients such as soy wax and which are scented with essential oils of plants and other botanicals, rather than by means of artificial aromas.

3. Never leave lit candles unattended. In particular, on no account leave a lit candle in a room with children or pets. Just a few seconds is all it takes for a candle to be knocked over and a fire inadvertently started. When you leave a room, blow your candles out. It is so easy to forget that you have a lit candle in a room and to leave the house with a candle still burning. This way, you minimise the risk of fire and also ensure you get the maximum enjoyment from each candle you light.

4. Be careful where you position your candles. Try to make sure you place your candle on a metal or glass surface - for example a coaster or dish - which will not catch fire if the candle is accidentally knocked over. Never position a candle alongside or near curtains, books, magazines or any other flammable items. Remember a spark from a lit candle could set fire to a magazine or similar item even a few feet away. It is always best to position your candles up high, preferably at head height or above. This keeps candles out of the reach of children and all but the most persistent of pets. Positioning candles high up also minimises the risk of them being accidentally knocked over as someone walks by.

5. A little care and attention before you use your candle will pay dividends in the long run. Before you light - or relight - your candles, make sure that the wick has been properly trimmed and is approximately ¼ inch long. A short wick will ensure that your candle burns evenly, will not drip and is much less likely to emit harmful soot or unpleasant fumes. Before you light your candle it is also important to check that no matches or pieces of wick have fallen into the candle as these could potentially catch fire, causing dangerous sparks.

Provided you take these few simple precautions, your scented candles should give you many hours of relaxed enjoyment, adding a touch of luxury and sophistication to your home.