How to Keep Your Home Safe from Candles

This time of year, there's something peaceful about lighting a candle and enjoying the flickering light on a cold evening. As an added benefit, many candles come in tantalizing scents like pumpkin pie or cinnamon apple to give your house a wonderful smell. Candles may look harmless, but they can cause devastating damage and loss. According to the US Fire Administration, there are an average of 42 home fires each day that can be blamed on a candle, so follow some of these safety tips.

Keep a one foot radius of clear space around all candles. That means there should not be any papers, window treatments, blankets, furniture, books or anything else within a foot of a burning candle.
Keep all candles in your eyesight. Don't light a candle and walk into a different room.
Never go to sleep with a candle burning. If you suspect you might fall asleep, set an alarm to make sure it gets safely blown out.

Trim wicks to one-quarter of an inch. Long wicks lead to large flames and dripping wax that can lead to a fire.
Always put candles out of reach of children and pets. Curiosity or rambunctious play can lead to candles getting tipped over or injury.
Always place candles in an appropriate candle holder to catch drips and prevent heat transfer.
Extinguish candles when they start to get low.

Candles can be a wonderful way to relax and create ambiance, but you do need to be careful when using them. Follow these simple tips to make sure your home doesn't become victim of a candle fire.

Are you safe from fires? Call Vista Insurance at 254-235-8000 for more information on Waco home insurance.

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