(ARA) - As winter sets in, a good way to keep the cold and darkness at bay is with a warm, soft glow spreading light across your holiday decorations and perfuming the air with a pine or cinnamon scent.

But have you ever considered the safety of the candles you're burning? More than 15,000 candle fires are reported annually, according to the National Candle Association. Some basic candle safety tips to keep in mind are:

* Keep the candle away from flammable materials.

* Keep the candle within sight at all times.

* Trim the wick to 1/4 inch before each use.

* Use appropriate candleholders.

But candles can be dangerous for your family in other ways as well. Ninety-five percent of the candles on the market are made with paraffin, a petroleum product which, when burned, releases the same toxins and carcinogens into the air as the exhaust from your car.

"Buying 100 percent natural candles or fireplace logs protects your family's health by eliminating the release of any pollutants into your home," says Kim Sieler with Natura Lights. "Candles made without paraffin can help prevent asthma problems, especially in young children."

Natura Candles and Natura Logs for the fireplace are made from soy and vegetables, which means they burn clean and don't leave smoke spots on ceilings or in the chimney. And because they're a natural product, Natura candles and logs burn longer so you won't have to replace them halfway through a party.

With scents like Holiday Pine, Spiced Apple, Peppermint Stick and Eggnog, the wax from these candles is soap and water soluble, and can easily be washed off when spilled.

The logs burn white in the fireplace, which means no waxy buildup in the chimney and therefore less cleaning. Plus the ingredients in the logs are 100 percent natural and made in America.

Visit www.naturalights.com to learn about clean-burning candles and how you can custom design your own candles to decorate your home this holiday season.

Remember to take safety precautions with burning candles this holiday season, protecting your home and your family's health.