Candle Safety Guide

How to Enjoy Your Whispering Raven Candles Safely and Effectively

At The Whispering Raven, we want you to experience the full beauty of our handcrafted soy wax candles while keeping safety a top priority. This guide will help you get the most out of your candle—enhancing its burn quality, maximizing scent throw, and ensuring you enjoy it safely from first light to final flicker.

🔥 1. Before You Light – Candle Preparation

Proper preparation helps your candle burn evenly and safely.

✅ Trim the Wick:
Before each use, trim the WEDO ECO wick to 6mm (¼ inch). A properly trimmed wick:

  • Prevents excessive flickering and soot.
  • Promotes an even, controlled burn.
  • Reduces the risk of mushrooming (carbon buildup on the wick tip).

✅ Choose the Right Spot:
Place your candle on a heat-resistant, stable surface, away from drafts, vents, or air currents. This prevents uneven burning, soot buildup, and potential safety hazards.

✅ Remove Packaging and Labels:
If your candle comes with a protective lid or label, remove it before lighting.

🔥 2. During the Burn – Safety and Efficiency

Once your candle is lit, following these guidelines ensures a safe and effective burn.

✅ First Burn – Memory Formation:
Allow the candle to burn until the melt pool reaches the edges of the tin (typically 2-3 hours for a 200g candle). This prevents tunneling, which can reduce burn time and waste wax.

✅ Burn Time:
For optimal performance, burn your candle for 2-4 hours at a time, but never longer than 4 hours. Burning for too long can cause the tin to overheat and may lead to wick instability.

✅ Keep It Clear:
Ensure the wax pool is free of wick trimmings, matches, or debris to prevent flame flaring.

✅ Stay Safe:

  • Never leave a burning candle unattended.
  • Keep candles out of reach of children and pets.
  • Avoid placing candles near flammable objects (curtains, fabrics, paper).

🔥 3. After Extinguishing – Proper Care

When you’re ready to put out your candle, do it safely and correctly.

✅ Extinguish Safely:

  • Use a candle snuffer or gently blow out the flame.
  • Avoid blowing forcefully, as this can cause hot wax to splatter.

✅ Check the Wick:
Once cooled, re-trim the wick to 5mm before the next use.

✅ Storage Tips:

  • Store candles in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, to preserve their fragrance and prevent discolouration.
  • Keep the lid on when not in use to protect the scent and prevent dust buildup.

🔥 4. Maximizing Scent Throw – Tips for Best Fragrance Experience

Our soy wax candles are infused with premium fragrance oils for a clean, consistent scent experience. To enjoy the full aroma:

✅ Ideal Room Size:
A 200g candle is best suited for small to medium-sized rooms (approx. 10-15m² or 110-160ft²). For larger spaces, consider using multiple candles.

✅ Air Circulation Matters:
Avoid placing your candle directly under or near air vents or open windows. A gentle airflow helps distribute the scent but strong drafts can dilute it.

✅ Enhance Scent Longevity:
Let your candle cool completely before relighting. This helps the wax retain its fragrance for the next burn.

🔥 5. Candle Safety Do’s and Don’ts

✅ DO:

  • Burn candles within sight.
  • Place on a level, heat-resistant surface.
  • Keep away from flammable materials.
  • Use a proper candle holder or tray for added protection.
  • Burn in a well-ventilated room.

❌ DON’T:

  • Burn candles near fans, vents, or drafts.
  • Let the flame touch the sides of the tin.
  • Move a lit candle.
  • Use the candle if the tin is cracked or damaged.
  • Burn the candle all the way to the bottom – stop using it when approximately 1cm (½ inch) of wax remains.

🔥 6. Troubleshooting Common Candle Issues

Here’s how to handle a few common candle concerns:

✅ Tunneling (Wax Builds Up Around the Edges):

  • Let the candle burn long enough to create a full melt pool.
  • Use a candle warmer to melt the edges and even the surface.

✅ Flickering or Smoking Wick:

  • Trim the wick to 5mm before lighting.
  • Ensure the candle is in a draft-free area.

✅ Weak Scent Throw:

  • Allow the candle to burn for at least 2 hours to activate the fragrance fully.
  • Ensure the room is not too large for a single candle.

🔥 7. Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Candle Care

Our candles are made with eco-friendly soy wax and lead-free WEDO ECO wicks. To dispose of your candle responsibly:

✅ Reusing the Tin:

  • Once the candle has burned down, place the tin in the freezer for 2-3 hours. The wax will shrink, making it easy to remove.
  • Clean the tin with warm, soapy water and reuse it for small storage or as a plant holder.

✅ Recycling:

  • The matte black tins are fully recyclable.
  • Remove any leftover wax and recycle the tin according to local guidelines.

💫 Enjoy Your Candle Safely and Fully

By following these guidelines, you’ll not only enhance the longevity and performance of your Whispering Raven candle but also create a safe and serene ambiance in your space.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out to us. Happy burning! 🖤

🔥 Candle Safety Symbols – What They Mean

When you purchase a candle, you’ll often find safety symbols on the label or packaging. These icons, recommended by the UK Candle Makers Association, provide essential guidance on how to use your candle safely. Here’s a clear breakdown of what each symbol means:

🕯️ 1. Never Leave Unattended

🔍 Icon: Candle with a cross through it and a person walking away.

Meaning:

  • Always keep your candle in sight when it’s lit.
  • Never leave a burning candle unattended, even for a short time.
  • Extinguish the candle if you leave the room or go to sleep.

✅ Tip: If you’re leaving the room, it’s safest to snuff out the candle and relight it when you return.

🚫🔥 2. Keep Away from Flammable Objects

🔥 Icon: A candle with flames and a crossed-out line through nearby objects.

Meaning:

  • Keep candles at least 10cm (4 inches) away from anything flammable, such as:
    • Curtains
    • Paper
    • Upholstery
    • Decorations
  • Avoid placing candles near shelves or low-hanging fabric.

✅ Tip: Place candles on a heat-resistant surface and avoid wooden furniture without protection.

👧👦 3. Keep Away from Children and Pets

🐾 Icon: A candle with a child and pet silhouette crossed out.

Meaning:

  • Candles should be out of reach of children and pets.
  • Even unlit candles can pose a risk if chewed or knocked over.
  • Pets’ tails and whiskers can easily catch on fire, making safe placement essential.

✅ Tip: Place candles on high, stable surfaces that children and pets cannot access.

📏 4. Keep a Safe Distance Between Candles

↔️ Icon: Two candles with a double-ended arrow between them (10cm apart).

Meaning:

  • When burning multiple candles, keep them at least 10cm (4 inches) apart.
  • This prevents the flames from overheating the wax of nearby candles, which could cause uneven burning or wax pooling.

✅ Tip: Space candles evenly when creating displays or centrepieces.

🌬️ 5. Avoid Draughts and Vents

💨 Icon: A candle with an open window showing a draft.

Meaning:

  • Keep candles away from draughts, fans, air vents, or open windows.
  • Draughts can cause:
    • Uneven burning.
    • Flickering flames.
    • Excessive soot production.

✅ Tip: If the flame flickers constantly, it’s likely in a draughty area—move it to a more sheltered spot.

⚠️ 6. Do Not Move a Burning Candle

🚫🕯️ Icon: A hand holding a lit candle with a crossed-out line.

Meaning:

  • Never move a candle while it’s burning.
  • The melted wax and tin can become extremely hot, posing a burn risk.
  • Movement can also cause the wick to drift, creating uneven burning.

✅ Tip: Always extinguish the flame and allow the candle to cool before handling.

♨️ 7. Keep Away from Heat Sources

☀️ Icon: A candle with a sun symbol and wavy heat lines.

Meaning:

  • Do not place candles near external heat sources like:
    • Radiators or heaters.
    • Direct sunlight.
    • Kitchen stoves or ovens.
  • Heat exposure can cause the wax to soften or melt, affecting burn quality.

✅ Tip: Store candles in a cool, dry place when not in use.

🔥🚫 8. Keep Wax Pool Clear of Matches and Debris

⚠️ Icon: Showing a match leaving debris in the candle, crossed out.

Meaning:

  • Keep debris out of the wax pool.
  • Debris can effect the candles burn, might catch fire, or even create more soot output.

✅ Tip: Use candle care equipment to keep debris out of the wax pool and be careful when trimming the wick. Use a wick trimmer.

🌬️🕯️ 9. Never use Liquid to Extinguish a Candle

🔄 Icon: A candle being extinguished using liquid.

Meaning:

  • Use a candle snuffer or gently blow out the flame.
  • Blowing forcefully can cause hot wax splatter and damage the wick.
  • Snuffers prevent soot and help keep the wick upright.
  • Liquid will ruin the candle or could cause unexpected side effects like a soot release.

✅ Tip: If you don’t have a snuffer, blow gently at the base of the flame.

🛑 10. Trim the Wick to 0.6cm (6mm or 1/4inch)

⚠️ Icon: Showing the wick being trimmed to the indicated amount of cm.

Meaning:

  • Text will accompany the image for how many cm to trim the wick to.
  • Not trimming the wick could create incomplete combustion of the candle.
  • Incomplete combustion is more prone to creating soot, it can also overheat your candle to dangerous temperatures.

✅ Tip: Always check your wick before lighting. Even on the first use of the candle.

💡 Final Tip:

When purchasing or using candles, familiarise yourself with these symbols to ensure you enjoy your candles safely. Following these guidelines will not only help you create a warm, inviting atmosphere but also protect your home and loved ones. 🖤