If you are an avid candle burner, it’s a good idea to get into the habit of trimming your candle wick before you light your candle each time. But why? If a wick is left too long, it can cause the flame to rise too high above the vessel creating a fire hazard. Too long a wick can create a very large flame and that can be dangerous. It could cause you to burn yourself if you move the candle while it’s lit like this. An appropriate candle wick length is 1/4 - 1/2 inch, and never have it high above the top of jar or vessel that the candle wax is in. Trimming your wick before each lighting also ensures that your candle will burn more evenly. An even melting pool is what allows an even burn and is the best way to release maximum scent from the candle wax. Trimming your wick and allowing for an appropriate burn time (for the candle size) is crucial to optimal candle burning. That long black, mushroom topped wick is a no, no. Unsure if you are at the right length? A quick measure can help, but a tell tale sign is also the release of soot while burning your candle. Soot forms when there is incomplete combustion due to too much wax being drawn into the candle wick. Soot is not only unappealing, but it can also cause residue build up on your candle vessel or nearby walls or anything close by. Save yourself the clean up headache, the fire hazard, and burn risk. There are so many benefits to creating this habit. When in doubt, light the candle and watch it for a few minutes to see if the flame is too high. If it is, extinguish the flame, wait until it cools and cut the wick to the appropriate length. Then, enjoy your beautifully handmade Joyful Home 100% soy wax candle!