Most candles today are made from paraffin wax which releases toxins when burnt. I am sure no one wants their children or pets to inhale that, let along elderly parents.

To combat that and reduce the environmental impact of aesthetic relaxation a little, Our Better Planet supports sustainable soya-wax candles. We understand that many brands, and people, need to create posts with a light academia aesthetic which means they need candles if they are doing product shoots. Not to mention, people use candles during storms, and date-nights or for relaxing after a long-day at work.

Sustainability should and does have the space for these little-joys, especially when they be done in a low-impact manner.

But an important aspect of eco-conscious candle use is caring for the candle. And equally critical is that candle users ensure they are using candles in a responsible manner. They can be a fire hazard, after all.

To that end, I have put together some safety tips I have learnt from my conversations with people who use candles and just browsing online.

1.      Trim your wick

Most candle users swear by this on Instagram. According to them, it helps the candle last longer. And who doesn’t love it when something lasts? Not only does it help the planet, but it also helps our wallets. But, apart from environmental and financial benefits, there is also the safety issues that a too large wick brings such spitting. Using wooden wicks is an eco-friendly candle option.

2.      Keep the candle away from flammable objects

While we all know not to leave a candle unattended, blow it out instead of pouring water over it, keep it clean of debris which can increase the flame, and keep it away from plastic and paper, not many remember the same applies to perfumes. Basically, if it can catch fire, it should stay away a candle. Ahana Ghosh, long-term candle user also says, that when using candles, you should prioritize wearing heat-resistant clothing.

3.      Distance yourself and yet be prepared for emergencies

Ahana also mentions that candles should be kept at least 1feet away from you. She also recommends keeping water close by for non-glycerine burns and burn cream or cool oil for other burns.

4.      Place it appropriately

Anwesha Karmakar, a candle-user since 2020, says that candles can damage that surface they are put on. Thus, it is necessary to keep coasters which do not heat up under them. While boxed candles are resistant to this, Muskan Agarwaal, a candle-user of nearly a decade, says using a stand is a good idea for your beeswax candles. When asked about eco-friendly candles, she said she was eager to try DIY orange peel candles but is hesitant due to safety concerns. Hence, she prefers coconut shell candle holders. Those too, however, usually need to be sanded and kept on flame-resistant surfaces. She says due to boxed, glass, and sustainable candles, safety tips such as keeping candles in properly ventilated rooms and on hard surfaces like desks is second nature.