Candles are safe products but may become hazardous when used improperly or in an unsafe manner. During the holidays, more people seem to use candles. Here are a few safety tips to follow when burning candles:

• Always keep a burning candle within sight. Extinguish all candles when leaving a room or before going to sleep.
• 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 candles out of the reach of children and pets. Do not place lighted candles where they can be knocked over by children, pets or anyone else.
• Trim candle wicks to ¼ inch each time before burning. Long or crooked wicks cause uneven burning and dripping. 
• Always use a candleholder 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 candleholder is placed on a stable, heat-resistant surface.
• Keep burning candles away from drafts, vents and air currents. This will help prevent rapid uneven burning, smoking and excessive dripping. Drafts can also blow lightweight curtains or papers into the flame where they could catch fire. Ceiling fans can also cause drafts.
• Keep the wax pool free of trimmings, matches and debris at all times. 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 (½ inch if in a container). This will also help prevent possible heat damage to the counter/surface and prevent glass containers from cracking or breaking.
• Never touch or move a votive or container candle when the wax is liquid.