Candles signify meaningful moments such as a romantic dinner for two, a gathering of friends, even a decorated holiday table with those well-polished silver candelabras. But, with all of the cozy and warm ambiance candles create, you must use them responsibly.

I recall a dinner party we held with two rose-colored, brightly lit tapers standing on either side of a small flower arrangement in the middle of the table. One young lady, reaching for a platter, came too near the candle and burned her sleeve. With napkins working full speed ahead to extinguish the mini fire, she insisted, “I’m fine.”

It’s that time of year when candles light up homes for Hanukkah and Christmas. In Germany, it was tradition to burn candles on Christmas trees that may still be the practice in some homes. However, a brochure on candle safety called Candle With Care says, “Keep candles away from natural and artificial Christmas trees.”

In Northshore, we also use candles when wind knocks down trees that land on power lines and voila! no electricity! I keep a box of used candles in the garage for those power outages.

Candle With Care gives some important tips:

Never leave a burning candle unattended. Extinguish all candles when you leave the room or go to bed.

You know those cute little candleholders? Ditch them! Replace with candleholders that are sturdy, won’t tip over easily, are made from material that can’t burn and are large enough to collect dripping wax.

By “extinguish the candle,” they don’t mean give a mighty blow, but a soft breath or use of a long-handled candle snuffer.

Never leave a child in a room unattended with a burning candle.

Store candles, matches and lighters high, out of a child’s reach and sight. Lock them in a cabinet if possible … (the matches ‘n lighters, not the children!)

Enjoy the holidays in the glow of candlelight! And during those Northwest power outages? Perhaps stock up on batteries for your flashlights. Now, how romantic (but safe) is that?!

Suzanne G. Beyer is a Bothell resident.