Sellers Do Not Leave Candles Burning When Your Home Is Being Shown.

Diane, You make some great points.  I have seen candles burning before also and it crossed my mind that wasn't safe.  The cookies work great though and then you have something yummy to eat after the showing.

Diane, this is a good reminder especially with holidays around the corner.

Diane, good reminder and even though they look and smell great, candles are a fire hazard if left unattended.  Thanks for posting!

Diane, When I came to look at the house that I am currently living in, the seller had left several candles burning on the island in the kitchen. I knew that I wanted the house and I made sure that we blew them out before we left. I absolutely become paranoid when showing houses with candles burning in them.

Yikes!  Glad you weren't hurt any worse!  That's scary!

I lived in an apartment years ago and my next door neighbor left a candle burning in her bedroom (which joined walls with my bedroom).  Fortunately, my apartment was spared, but it was definitely a wakeup call!  I've always loved candles but kept them for special occassions.  Of course, now - with a 5 year old, a nosey cat and a big dog with a "happy tail" - we no longer use candles... EVER. 

Good reminder!

I showed a  home awhile back with about 10 candles burning. No instructions to put them out (maybe the seller was close by? I hope?!) but safety freak that I am, I blew them ALL OUT before leaving.

Geesh!

Hi Diane ~ I did recently have a fire in my house that wasn't started by a candle. The funny thing was that after the fire department had put out the fire they took a statement from me and the first thing they asked was about the use of candles in our home!

Quite clearly the fire department views candles as a major fire hazard, I'd say anyone who thinks differently and leaves candles unattended is taking a big chance.

Great post and very timely too with the holidays at the door.

Denise

I like to stage with candles, but don't light them.  One can pull the wick out to make sure no one decides to light them.  This year I discovered flameless candles t hat have a battery in them.  I have a couple candles, the batteries already need to be changed.  A candle is like a fireplace.  Only something you light when you are at home with it!   

Diane, thank you that's a great reminder.  I as well once put water on burning wax and had forgotten about it until your post.  I do burn candles and will be sure to keep the baking soda at the ready.

Linda Metallo, Re/max Impact, Lockport, Il.

Under the category "what were they thinking" I have done it as I am sure a lot have. Thanks for the reminder.

Thanks for the heads up!  I have also heard the same about the plugins.  It is important to remember these precautions!

Wow, glad that you are okay now.  A tough reminder to be careful of candles.  We use candles only occassionally and only for short time use. 

GREAT REMINDER!  My husband did this back in the 90s on one of my BRAND NEW VERY EXPENSIVE TOWELS when we had a house showing.  Luckily the only thing the wax spill ruined was the towel rather than the whole house!

Diane -- thanks for this timely reminder, especially at this time of year when people are more prone to lighting candles.  I'm sorry to hear that you had such bad burns, but glad you weren't more seriously hurt.  As a professional home stager we're very cautious about using candles in our staged properties, and cut off the wicks so that no one can light them. 

Wow, I never knew a candle could explode!  I do use the very large "jar" candles, and have left them burning for a showing when I knew I was coming back (when my home was on the market).  Maybe I should rethink a little....

Excellent reminder - I too love candles, but they should not be left unattended!