Candles are an essential for so many people. They bring light, smell and atmosphere to a room and can help us to feel calm after a long day. But a common factor that is overlooked is their potential danger, especially in a room lacking circulation.

 

In burning candles, you obviously release gases and chemicals into the air. Some of the more severe ones, such as the carcinogenic toxins, can discolour walls or ceilings and may damage your house’s ventilation system. From a health perspective, in lighting candles too often and in unventilated spaces, you increase the risk of developing problems aggravating asthma and affecting respiration.

 

However, to minimize such dangers you should pay attention to certain aspects. A key rule to set is consistent ventilation in rooms with candles, while avoiding direct drafts on the candles at the same time. This is to keep the air fresh and clean of the chemicals that have been released and should be an essential practise. Also, wicks should never be too long. A tell-tale sign that it is too long is lots of soot being produced; they should therefore be trimmed regularly before lighting. As well as this, wicks should not be overly thick, but thin and braided, and curling after use. Another thing is to avoid use of contained candles with only small openings as the air flow is inconsistent. Using free standing candles and a suitable dish beneath to catch the wax is a much better alternative. Lastly, stick to a one hour burn maximum while allowing the candle to cool before its reuse.

 

I find candles to be a great motivational stimulant for when I need to do homework or revise, knowing many friends who share this same opinion. They are also equally great for winding down later in the evening, though it is important to be aware of the risks involved as well. 

 

Therefore, all of this is not to discourage the use of candles, which remain safe to use and enjoy at home. Producing such a small amount of the harmful substances due to their size, there is absolutely no reason to worry!