At Kootenay Candles we are proud of the quality of our products. Although they are attractive and decorative, we encourage our customers to burn the candles and enjoy the warm atmosphere they create. Because our candles are made from the finest materials available, they burn well and consume most of the wax. Burning candles (whether scented or not) also remove unpleasant odors and cigarette smoke from your home. Our pure beeswax candles are the absolute finest when it comes to burning quality. Always be safety conscious. Please remember that all burning candles require attention and that tapers and small pillars and balls generally exhibit better burning quality than large candles. To obtain maximum enjoyment, we ask that our customers follow these guidelines:

1. 1. Choose holders carefully. Never substitute a different size or type of candle for the one for which the holder or setting was designed. Be sure that the candle is standing straight on a flat, level surface. Protect the surface by placing the candle in a flame-proof candle holder or on a coaster. Votive candles must always be burned in a close fitting container with sides as tall as the candle Even the best candle can drip and the dye from colored candles can leach out onto furniture or tablecloths. “Bobeches” should be used with any taper holder that does not have a built in saucer to catch drips. Avoid burning candles within ½ inch of the bottom. Do not handle containers when they are hot.


2. 2. Before lighting or relighting a candle, trim the wick to about 1/4 to 1/2 inch in length. If a candle will not light, the wick is probably too short or frayed. Carefully tip the candle side-ways over a sheet of wax paper and hold a match to the wick until enough wax has dripped away onto the paper to allow the wick to ignite. Avoid drafts. Even a slight draft can cause a candle to burn unevenly or drip. Conversely, inadequate oxygen will cause candles to smoke. A regrettable side effect of increased candle popularity is that many people try to burn too many candles at once. Modern homes are not designed to accommodate many candles burning - smoke film on walls or windows can result. Large candles in particular should be watched and turned from time to time as the cavity around the wick enlarges with burning. The turning overcomes the effects of air movements and ensures that the cavity spreads evenly towards all sides. It may be necessary to trim away some excess shell as the candle burns down. Large candles also burn best if burned for relatively long periods (1 to 4 hours at a time); They may smoke initially because the flame has not yet melted enough wax to fuel itself adequately - in this case patience is required.


3. 3. Keep burning candles away from flammable materials (such as drapes) and out of the reach of young children and pets. Remove wrappers from the candle before lighting. Pay particular attention when burning candles in decorative settings - do not let the flame get close to decorative materials and protect any flammable materials from dripping wax. Never leave a burning candle unattended. Keep it in sight at all times. Try to avoid handling a burning candle. Immediately extinguish any candle that is exhibiting any signs of improper burning. Use a snuffer to extinguish the candle instead of blowing it out. This will help to prevent dripping.


4. 4. To “set” a candle’s wick – the very first time you burn it - let it burn to form a wax pool to about a ¼” from the outside rim. Then very gentle push or curl the sides of the candle a little inward and upward towards the flame. This will help ensure that the wax is “pulled down” more readily by the burning flame the next time you light it. This is called “hugging” the candle.


5. 5. Special directions for jar candles: Please follow all other directions for candles. Following are directions to get the most out of your jar candle. Candles have memories. The first time you burn a jar/container candle make sure you burn it for at least 2-3 hours until the wax pool melts and reach the sides of the container. This will ensure that no wax is left on the sides of the container and even burning occurs on consecutive burns. Never have the flame consume all the wax in the jar as this might cause the jar to crack or break. Never refill the jar with wax. Replace the lid after the candle has been extinguished. Always put the jar candle on a heat-resistant surface. Refrain from moving a hot candle.