Cautious Candle Burning: Protect Your Home and Yourself When Lighting Up

Candles are not in short supply come the holiday season. During Chanukah, candles are an integral component of celebrating the miracle of oil that burned in the Temple for eight days. Celebrants of Kwanzaa utilize candles to represent the seven principles of the holiday. Christians light candles during Christmas services and in their homes to represent the light Jesus brought to the world.

There is no denying the warmth and beauty candles can bring to a home when they are flickering delicately. But candles have open flames, so caution must reign supreme when they are in use. The U.S. Consumer...