DEAR MAMA candles are awesome! Each wooden wick will crackle like a tiny fireplace when burning, which is a unique and relaxing experience. Proper candle burning and safety is important to make sure you and your home are safe.

We are not responsible for incorrectly burned candles and lack of safety precautions taken when burning.

Simple instructions are given on the label of each candle, but here is the full list of tips and tricks to get the most out of your beautiful candle:

• Burn on a heat-resistant, flat surface. Keep away from drafts, children, pets, fabric or anything flammable. Always burn within sight.

• The first time you light the candle, allow the melted wax pool to reach the edge of the container. For small candles it may only take an hour. For large candles it can take 2+ hours.

• Wooden wicks light slower than cotton wicks. It is comparable to lighting a fireplace. Hold your lighter (we use a barbecue lighter) close to the wick for 20 or more seconds to fully light the wick.

• Never leave your burning candle unattended.

• Burn for 4 hours maximum. Continuing to burn the candle beyond 4 hours is a safety hazard and will reduce your candle life.

• Do not touch the metal tin while the candle is burning, or while it's still warm.

• Wooden wicks are generally self-trimming, but if the excess burnt wood is longer than 1/4", break off the extra burnt wood before you light it.

• If you have burned the candle a while and the flame is very low, you may need to remove the extra burnt wood at the top of the wick.

• Burn candles in a well-ventilated non-drafty room. A draft might blow out the candle prematurely or keep it from staying lit.

• When you're done burning, blow out your candle, don't extinguish with the lid or with water.

• Once the candle has reached about 1/2" of wax remaining, stop burning it. Continuing to burn past this point is a fire hazard.