Candle Making Tips: Safety Rules

The only "rules" in candlemaking are Safety Rules - and to have FUN! (Now, you can’t have fun if there’s a fire, can you?) Candlemaking can be dangerous if you don’t follow basic safety precautions and may result in serious injury or damage to your home. So, please read the following Safety Rules before making your first candles.

                SAFETY RULES                   

1. Never leave melting wax unattended - not even in a double boiler.

2. Never overheat wax. It will spontaneously combust when it reaches its flash point (usually about 375*F for paraffin). For safety, do not heat above 212*F. The fumes from overheated wax may cause severe illness. If this happens, evacuate the area and be sure it is well ventilated before returning.

4. Always use a thermometer. You should always be aware of the wax temperature for safety reasons and good results.

5. Always use a double boiler. Typical melting temperatures can reach 200*F and a double boiler will help control the heat. If you don’t have a double boiler, you can use an old pot with water and a coffee can to melt the wax.

6. Never put water on a wax fire. Always keep a pot lid, baking soda, and a dry chemical fire extinguisher handy when heating wax. Use the pot lid to smother fires in the melting container. Baking soda will smother small fires, but a fire extinguisher is essential for a major accident.

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

8. Never pour wax down the drain. Pour any waste wax into a can or milk carton.

9. Never let candlemaking get so routine that you become careless.