Candle Making Safety Tips

Candle making is dangerous if you don't follow basic safety precautions. TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY, failure to follow the safety rules may result in serious injury or damage to your home. If basic safety precautions are taken fire should not be a common problem, but be prepared anyway.

1. NEVER leave melting wax unattended. Not even in a double boiler.

2. NEVER overheat wax. Know the flash point of your wax (usually about 375 degrees F. for paraffin). It will spontaneously combust when it reaches the flash point.

3. ALWAYS keep wax away from open flames.

4. ALWAYS use a double boiler system. Temperatures up to 200 degrees F. can be achieved which is perfect for the candles you will be making in this kit. If you don't have a double boiler, use an old pot for the water and a coffee can to melt the wax.

5. NEVER put water on a wax fire.

6. ALWAYS keep baking soda handy when heating wax. Baking soda will smother small fires. A fire extinguisher is useful if you set the curtains on fire, or have some other major accident. These items should be kept outside of any area that may be affected by fire but still within easy access.

7. ALWAYS use pot holders or pliers when handling hot pots or cans.

8. If wax gets on your skin, run it under cold water immediately- then peel off the wax.

9. Don't pour wax down the drain unless you like frequent visits from your plumber.

10. NEVER let candle making get so routine that you get careless.

These warnings are not intended to scare you. You probably already use the same safety procedures for cooking, so candle making isn't that different. Following these safety tips and taking precautions against fire will help you relax and enjoy your candle making even more.