Candles: Burning With Care

Candles can add a cosy atmosphere around the house or an attractive setting to the dinner table. But they can also create a disaster to an otherwise flawless meal with friends and family if not given a little consideration. Every year accidents happen due to careless use of candles .                                                                                                                                                                                 Eamon Parkes Photography © The accidents can be so serious that fatalities can occur as well as burned down houses, apartments, villas etc. You need to pay careful attention to candles constantly. Most accidents occur because candles are forgotten or left unattended but also by the different types of candles and candle holders that are now available which may not be safe .

Types of Candles

Tealights

 Many of these candles can become so hot that the surface or candle itself can catch fire. A constant flame of about 5-15 cm can ignite and be dangerous if left unattended.

 The risk is greatest when a few tealights are placed close together or inside of ornaments or decorations. Tealights can cause such excessive heat that the ornament catches fire or the candles cause one large dangerous flame. A single tealight can give a 5-15 cm flame!

 The tea light must always be on a sturdy and flat surface which is fire resistant. Never place this type candle on a tablecloth or cloth of any kind.

Gel candles

 These candles are made of a type of gel which consists of a hardened oil-type substance. This type of gel is usually found in a glass container where various decorations or objects such as seashells appear inside the gel . These objects can rise to the top when the gel is used up and can add fuel to the flame causing the bottom of the glass to become very hot. Always place these candles on a fire resistant surface. The gel can also remain hot for a long time after the candle has been extinguished. Children should be warned not to touch gel candles because the 'goodies' inside often appeal to children.

Self extinguishing candles

 These candles should self extinguish about 1 cm from the bottom for small candles and 2 cm for taller ones. But not all of these candles self- extinguish so do not rely 100 % on them to burn out by themselves. These should be watched just as much as any other candles.

Figure and sphere candles

 Round and figure candles tend to drip quite easily and are sensitive to drafts or small gusts of wind. Place on top of a non-flammable surface or place on top of a small plate so as not to stain the table or tablecloth.

Burning candles

 There are many reasons why a candle burns 'wrong'. The wall could be too high, thus staining the wall; there could be a draft, or the (glass, clay...) candle holder could contain residues from other candles or other sorts of materials such as those from gel candles. It's important to place a candle in a safe place to avoid dark soot marks or wax stains on walls, tables or cloths. Always extinguish a candle that appears to burns strangely or incorrectly.

Extinguishing

 It's always best to 'starve' a candle of oxygen than to blow it out. If you don't have a candle snuffer you can always use a plate, lid, a spoon, etc. Never use water to extinguish a candle as this can cause the candle to 'explode' resulting in burn injuries. A simple way to prevent the wick from smoking after extinguishing the candle is to simply bend the wick into the melted wax. Remember to lift the wick up again or it will remain stuck inside the hardened wax.

Candle Holders

 Candle holders must be inflammable and must not conduct heat to the bottom of the surface on which they are placed. The candle holder must also be sturdy. Always be careful when using a closed- in candle holder (such as a wind glass, clay holder, etc.) as the temperature inside such a holder can become so hot that the candle may explode into one large flame. Always make sure there is a chimney or hole at the top to make sure the heat can escape. Small wreathes around the top of the candleholder can also be a common cause of unwanted burning. It is never too early to extinguish a candle before it reaches the bottom of the wreath. A foil or a foil cup can be used to hold the candle firmly in place or you can melt the bottom of the candle to make it stick firmly to the bottom. You can purchase small pieces of button-sized wax which you hold between your thumb and forefinger to soften the wax. You can then place this wax on the bottom of the candle before you insert the candle into the candle holder.

  Covers and tablecloths

 Always make sure the cloth underneath the candles is inflammable, especially candles that can stand on their own without candle holders, as these can leave marks on tables or other surfaces.   By Lars Jensen Copyright 2002 www.EclecticCooking.com