Candlemaking is an exciting and potentially lucrative business opportunity. As with any business, following industry standards for safety is essential. The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that there is an estimated average of 12,500 candle-related fires every four years. These fires have caused millions of dollars in property loss, not to mention how deadly they can be. As the use of scented candles continues to rise thanks to their appeal as a decorative source of home fragrance, the risk associated with them does too. Although we know that candles themselves are perfectly safe, many consumers may not know how to properly use one to avoid any potential danger they present. As candle makers, safe burning practices may seem like a no-brainer, but we can’t assume everyone has the knowledge we do, which is where safety labels – in addition to candle business insurance! – come into play.

What Goes on A Label

What is a candle safety label and what should you put on it? If you live in the UK or EU, candles are legally required to have a CLP label, which should include details about the product, company name, address, and contact information, as well as hazard pictograms that are easy for customers to understand. 

Although candle safety labels are not required by law in the USA, we strongly recommend you use them. At the very minimum, a candle safety label should provide detailed burning guidelines. This includes instructions to always burn the candle within sight, away from flammable objects, children, and pets. Additionally, customers should know to trim the wick to 1/4th of an inch before lighting, remove any foreign objects from the surface of the wax (like wick trimmings), and keep the candle on a flat, heat-safe surface. Customers should also be instructed to cease use of a candle when only a fourth of an inch of wax remains and to not burn it for longer than the recommended burn time. This burn time varies based on the size, shape, and type of candle, so these instructions should be based on your own burn tests. As an optional addition, you can include information regarding the wax type you used or a full list of ingredients.

Where do you find labels?

Fortunately, it’s easy to find premade labels that fit into any budget, making it easy for you to add warnings to your candles. There are an abundance of options available from candle supply webstores and digital marketplaces that come in varying quantities, making it quick, easy, and affordable to keep your customers safe. If you want a more personal label, there are editable templates available through applications like Photoshop and Canva. Of course, you can also make your labels entirely from scratch, but be sure to include all relevant information a customer will need to know about using your candles! This information includes…

• Candle Name
• Wax Classification (ex. “100% Soy”, “Beeswax”, “Parasoy Blend”, etc.)
• Hazard Pictograms
  • Keep Away from Flammable Items
  • Keep Out of Reach of Children/Pets
  • Do Not Leave Candle Burning Unattended
• Additional Precautionary Statements
  • Keep Wick Trimmed to 1/4″
  • Keep Debris Out of Burn Pool
  • Stop Burning Candle when 1/2″ Wax Remains

How to apply them

Regardless of how or where you get your labels from, they are typically adhered to the bottom of the candle or vessel they’re in. This ensures anyone who might use the candle can see it and there’s no chance of it getting thrown out with the packaging your candles are sold in. Many candle makers have also found it helpful to include an extra sticker or pamphlet in the packaging itself that their customers can see and read right away before they go to use the candle for the first time. Candle safety labels ensure you and your customers stay protected. In the rare event that something goes wrong, it’s essential that you are prepared for anything as a candlemaker.