Safety

Candle Burning Guidelines

All Circa 1955 and Lux Illume candles come with safety information in the package along with a decal on the bottom of the container.  When you're ready to light the candle, trim the wick to 1/4" and place the candle on a heat-safe surface.  If the candle is burned for a short duration several times over, be aware the wax may "tunnel" down and not melt all the way to the edge of the glass.  To combat this, ensure you leave the candle burning to allow the melted wax pool to reach as close to the edge of the vessel as possible.

An ideal burn time is about 4 hours for each time the candle is lit.  Before relighting, be sure the wax has completely cooled and the wick is trimmed again to 1/4".  When there is only about 1/2" of wax remaining in the container, it's time to extinguish it for good.  100% natural soy wax can be scraped out, the vessel washed out with soap and water, and then re-purposed for a myriad of uses. 

The vendors and manufacturers we use are all vetted and masters in the industry.  We try our hardest to source our materials from U.S. manufacturers and vendors.  Not every container can be used for candles; glass is stressed from the constant heating and cooling of the wax.  Our glass containers are from manufacturers who produce the glass in accordance with ASTM Standard F-2179: Standard Specifications for Glass Containers Produced for Use as Candle Containers.

Candle Safety Rules

For more safety tips, here's a list from the National Candle Association (Jan. 2016):

  • Always keep a burning candle within sight. Extinguish all candles when leaving a room or before going to sleep. Be sure the wick ember is no longer glowing.
  • Never burn a candle on or near anything that can catch fire. Keep burning candles away from furniture, drapes, bedding, carpets, books, paper, flammable decorations, etc.
  • Keep burning candles out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Trim candlewicks to ¼ inch each time before burning. Long or crooked wicks can cause uneven burning and dripping.
  • Always use a candle-holder specifically designed for candle use. The holder should be heat resistant, sturdy, and large enough to contain any drips or melted wax.
  • Be sure the candle-holder is placed on a stable, heat-resistant surface. This can help prevent heat damage to underlying surfaces and prevent glass containers from breaking.
  • Keep the wax pool free of wick trimmings, matches and debris at all times.
  • Always read and follow the manufacturer’s use and safety instructions carefully. Don’t burn a candle longer than the manufacturer recommends.
  • 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 nearby lightweight items into the flame where they could catch fire.
  • Always burn candles in a well-ventilated room. Don’t burn too many candles in a small room or in a “tight” home where air exchange is limited.
  • Don’t burn a candle all the way down. Extinguish the flame if it comes too close to the holder or container. For a margin of safety, discontinue burning a candle when 2 inches of wax remains (pillar candle) or ½ inch if in a container.
  • Never touch or move a burning candle or container candle when the wax is liquid.
  • 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.
  • Place burning candles at least three inches apart from one another. This helps ensure they don’t melt one another, or create their own drafts to cause improper burning.
  • Use a snuffer to extinguish a candle. It’s the safest way to prevent hot wax splatters.
  • Never extinguish candles with water. The water can cause the hot wax to splatter and might cause a glass container to break.
  • Be very careful if using candles during a power outage. Flashlights and other battery-powered lights are safer sources of light during a power failure.
  • Extinguish a candle if it repeatedly smokes, flickers, or the flame becomes too high.  The candle isn’t burning properly. Cool, trim the wick, then check for drafts before relighting.
  • Never use a candle as a night light.