Never leave a lit candle unattended, and do not burn one for more than 2 hours at a time.
Always burn a candle until the entire surface liquifies, and allow it to solidify before re-lighting.
Keep the wick trimmed to ¼ inch at all times, to avoid any black smoke. Gently re-position the wick while the wax is still molten.
Always protect the surface on which the candle rests.
Once only ¼ inch of wax remains, blow out the candle and let it fully cool before safely discarding it.