Candle Making Safety Guidelines

Making candles means that you need to do a little preparation and know what to do if you hit a spot of trouble.

Never pour water on a candle wax fire as all you will do is spread the fire not put it out.  Treat it exactly the same as a grease fire.

Don’t leave melting candle wax unattended.

If you are using your cooker, give it a good cleaning before you make any candles.  If you have a wax fire, the last thing you need is any fat already on the cooker to catch fire and make things worse.  After you are finished the candle making process clean your stove again, making sure you have removed all traces of the wax from your cooker.

Keep any flammable materials away from your work area. If you   have kitchen curtains close by remove them from your windows until you are   done.   Read and follow the   manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Learn about the materials you are   using, and use a thermometer.

Keep your temperature on the cooker at the minimum for melting your wax, unless you want face splatters.  Don’t be tempted to put the cooker on high, as you might not live to tell the tale.

Always use a wax melter or double boiler method, i.e. pan inside a pan or jug inside a pan filled with water.    Don’t put wax in a pot on direct heat since heat is hard to manage and the flash point may be reached very quickly.  Never fill a pot all the way to the top with the candle wax you are  using as it will be too heavy to lift and may spill.  Treat wax as you would treat the fat in a fryer (with respect).

Always wear protective clothing while working with hot wax.  Oven gloves, a heavy apron, long trousers, sleeves, shoes and socks will help to protect you.   I have dripped hot wax on my toes in the past.  It hurts.

You should always work in a well-ventilated area.   Always make sure your candle supplies are   locked up and out of the reach of children.

If hot wax is being used keep young children away from your work area. Older children who are participating in the candle making process should always be supervised by an adult and educated on candle making safety before you begin.

Don’t pour left over wax down the drain.  It is bad for the environment, and as it cools  it will clog your sink.   Pour it into a jar or milk carton and over several batches you will have made a layered candle, or just make wax melts (tarts) for using in a burner.

For those considering selling candles, always include a warning label, make sure you have insurance, and have lots of fun.

If the candle is for decorative purposes only, make sure it is well labelled as decorative only.

FIRST AID

Keep a bucket or sink full of cold water close by. If you get some hot wax on your skin, put it into water immediately, and leave it there until the candle wax has cooled completely.  If it is a small minor burn you can then peel off the wax.  If it is a more serious second or third degree burn (blistering or charring), after dipping in water, leave the wax on your skin , call your doctor, or go to the hospital.

DISCLAIMER

 THESE GUIDELINES ARE INFORMATIONAL ONLY.  IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THE SAFE USE AND SUPERVISION WHEN MAKING CANDLES, AND VERIFYING THAT THE METHODS ARE APPROPRIATE FOR YOUR TOOLS, MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT.

 WHEN USING ESSENTIAL OILS, PERCENTAGES WILL VARY ACCORDING TO APPROPRIATE VALUES.

VALUES QUOTED IN THESE INSTRUCTIONS RELATE TO SPECIFIC FRAGRANCE OILS MANUFACTURED FOR CANDLE MAKING.