Rated & Reviewed HomeAdvisor Pro

Preventing Fire Damage from Candles this Valentine’s Day

fire damage redmondValentine’s Day is approaching and you know what that means? Chocolates, teddy bears, flowers, and other gifts for/from your significant other… okay, I’ll admit, I’m not big on the whole “Valentine’s Day gifts” thing like a lot of people are. However, I do love a romantic candle lit dinner, or even a candle lit bubble bath if I don’t have a person to share Valentine’s Day with. However, no matter how much I love candles, they do pose a few fire hazards.

Before you light those candles to set the mood, freshen up on these candle burning safety tips!

• Remove all packaging before lighting. Any left packaging can easily catch fire and create a huge problem
• Keep wick(s) trimmed to 1/8 inches at all times. Long wicks can throw embers and start an unwanted fire.
• Avoid burning candles in drafts.

Not all candles are created equal, some candles are actually better than others for the indoor air environment. Here’s how:

Most candles are made of Paraffin wax, which creates highly toxic benzene and toluene when burned (both are known Carcinogens). In fact, the toxins released from paraffin candles are the same as those found in diesel fuel fumes!
Additionally, “petro-soot” from paraffin candles gives off the same soot as the exhaust for the diesel engine, and is considered just as dangerous as secondhand smoke, causing problems from headaches to lung cancer. Paraffin fumes have been found to cause tumors in the kidneys and liver land animals. Shocking right??? I know! That is why I had to not only share tips to help prevent a possible smoke or fire damage, I want to help your indoor air quality also!
So what’s the better choice you ask?
Beeswax! Beeswax candles give off the warm glow of candles without the toxic effects! Some studies even show that they are not only safe for the indoor air, but possibly help clean it! Gotta LOVE that!!!
A few years ago I had heard that soy candles were a safer alternative but it turns out most of them are genetically modified and maybe not the best choice. If you are making them yourself, depending on what you are using, you are probably okay!
So burn safely my friends! Follow these prevention tips and get your romantic Valentine’s Day started!

Remember: even if you follow all of these prevention tips to a “T”, accidents do happen. If faulty candle burning occurs and disaster strikes, don’t hesitate to contacPioneer Restoration to ensure that it is completely and properly cleaned up.

