Candles are one of the most common causes of house fires in New Zealand, yet the risks are almost entirely preventable with a few straightforward habits. At Golden Glow we’ve been making candles since 1969, and safe candle use is something we take seriously. Here’s what you need to know.
The Five Non-Negotiables
- Never leave a burning candle unattended. This includes stepping outside briefly or moving to another room. If you’re leaving, extinguish it.
- Keep candles away from flammable materials. A minimum of 30cm clearance from curtains, paper, fabric, wooden shelving, and anything else that can catch. Candle flames can reach higher than they look.
- Keep out of reach of children and pets. Position candles where they cannot be knocked over or touched. Never use candles as night lights in a child’s room.
- Use an appropriate holder. All candles should be in a non-flammable holder sized for the candle — taper candles in taper holders, pillars on a heat-resistant plate or tray. Never burn a candle directly on a wooden or plastic surface.
- Stop at 5mm of remaining wax. As wax runs low the base of the candle heats up significantly. Discontinue use before the wick reaches the bottom of the vessel or holder.
Wick Trimming: The Most Overlooked Step
Trim your wick to 5mm before every single light. This is the single most effective thing you can do to improve burn quality and reduce soot. A long wick produces a taller, mushrooming flame that generates soot, drips wax unevenly on tapers, and can cause jar candles to overheat. A trimmed wick gives you a clean, steady flame and extends the life of the candle.
Use scissors or a proper wick trimmer. Pinching the wick end off by hand leaves fibres that can cause uneven burn.
Burn Time Limits
Most candles should not be burned for more than 4 hours at a time. Extended burning causes the wax pool to deepen beyond what the wick is designed for, leading to an oversized flame, excess heat, and in jar candles, potential glass stress. Let the candle cool completely before relighting — typically 2 hours for larger pillars and jars.
For hospitality and event use where candles burn for extended periods, our rechargeable LED tea lights are a practical alternative that eliminates fire risk entirely while maintaining the ambiance of candlelight.
Avoiding Drafts
Position candles away from open windows, air conditioning vents, ceiling fans, and high-traffic walkways. A flickering flame from drafts causes uneven wax consumption on pillar candles, excessive dripping on tapers, and increased soot on all types. If you notice a candle flickering without an obvious source, check for air movement from gaps around doors or windows.
Pillar Candles: Preventing Wax Overflow
On the first burn of any pillar candle, allow the melt pool to reach the outer edge of the candle before extinguishing — this takes 1–3 hours depending on diameter. If you extinguish too early the candle will tunnel down the centre, wasting wax and shortening burn life. Once the first burn is done correctly, subsequent burns are self-regulating.
If a pillar candle develops a deep well, carefully pour the excess liquid wax into a bin (not down the sink) while the wax is still liquid, then trim the wick and relight. Our pillar candles are made to drip-resistant formulations but will overflow in a sustained draft — always use with a drip tray.
Extinguishing Safely
Use a candle snuffer rather than blowing candles out. Blowing forces molten wax to splash and can project the flame onto nearby surfaces. A snuffer starves the flame of oxygen cleanly. If you don’t have a snuffer, hold your hand behind the flame and blow gently across it rather than directly at it.
After extinguishing, confirm the wick has fully stopped glowing before leaving the room. Wicks can continue to smoulder for a few seconds after the flame appears to be out.
Storage
Store candles in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. UV exposure causes colour fading and can soften wax. Keep candles horizontal if storing tapers for long periods to prevent warping. Don’t store candles near heat sources such as radiators or in cars during summer — paraffin and soy wax will soften above approximately 40°C.
For more candle care guidance, see our Hints & Tips page and FAQ. To explore our full range, visit our candle shop or call us free on 0800 CANDLE (0800 226 353).