• Avoid Problems with HVAC
• Improving Indoor Air Quality
• Decrease Your Energy Bill While Cooling Your Home
• Energy & Cost Efficient Changes to Your HVAC
• Purchasing An Energy Efficient HVAC System
• Air Conditioning – Definition and History
• How Air Conditioners Work
• HVAC – Heating, Ventilation, and AC
• Alen Corporation - History and Products
• Air Fresheners Don't Freshen
• Make Your Home Safe with Better Ventilation
• FEMA Trailer Residents Fighting Mold
• Humid Areas at High Risk for Mold
• Relieve Stress By Removing Clutter
• Toxicity in Office Affects Indoor Air Quality
• Using Candles Safely
• Wet Weather Breeds Mold

Using Candles Safely

Although they provide an endlessly romantic atmosphere, candles have been linked to thousands of house fires, at least 17,200 in 2004 alone. According to the National Fire Protection Association in Quincy, Mass, most of these occurred when candles were placed too close to flammable objects.

But fires are not the only problem with candles. These tiny flames also release toxins and pollutants into the air. According to Bob Moffitt, a spokesman for the American Lung Association Health House program, even small candles give off carbon dioxide and other combustion gases.

Many candles contain petroleum-based products, like paraffin, and some imported candles emit lead fumes from metal wicks. Although metal wicks have been banned from sale in the U.S. paraffin products continue to dominate the marketplace.

Candles also produce soot that can damage and discolor walls and furnishings and enter the ventilation system as fine particles.

Fragrances, despite adding to ambiance, can trigger allergic reactions, asthma, and migraines in sensitive individuals.

According to a study at Iowa State University, however, paraffin and soy candles were not found to produce significant amounts of dangerous chemicals or compounds. The National Candle Association also states that most high-quality candles burn safely and produce no airborne chemicals or dangerous compounds.

Some safety tips to consider when burning candles:

• Keep lit candles away from flammable objects like clothing, paper, or curtains (at least a foot away is a good bet and keep them far from walls)
• Never leave a candle unattended
• Keep lit candles away from small children and pets
• Keep candles in well-ventilated areas but avoid putting them near drafts or open windows as these could cause the flame to flicker and spread
• Trim wicks to ¼ inch prior to lighting
• Only burn candles on non-flammable surfaces
• If a candle burns to high, smokes, or leaves sooty residue on candle holders, avoid burning the candle
• If you like scents, use candles that are lightly scented and made of hard wax. Softer, more heavily scented candles do not burn correctly and produce more soot.
• Never move lit candles or ones where the wax is still liquefied
• If you want to group candles, keep them at least three inches apart Use a candle snuffer to extinguish candle flames
• Taper and pillar candles should be extinguished when they are no less than two inches from the holder

Resource article: http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071103/LIFE/711030303/1005