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Candle safety

Fire Kills - Take care with candles graphic

Candles and tea lights are a popular way to create a relaxing and pleasing ambience in our homes, scenting our rooms and giving an atmospheric glow to cold winter nights.

Whether you’re using your candles to scent and decorate or as a religious symbol, these popular home accessories can be dangerous.

Place candles

  • Firmly in a proper holder so they don’t fall over. The candle should be standing straight up.
  • On a heat-resistant surface. Be especially careful with night lights and tea lights. These get hot enough to melt plastic such as the top of a TV and the side of a bath tub.
  • Place scented candles in a suitable glass or metal container that can withstand the heat of the liquid and will not leak. Scented candles turn to liquid in order to release their fragrance.
  • Away from:
    • Christmas trees, plants, flowers or other foliage.
    • Curtains, other fabrics or furniture.
    • Ribbons, greetings cards and other decorations. These could easily catch fire.
    • Draughts.
  • Out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Remember to keep them away from clothes and hair. If there’s any chance you could forget a candle is there and lean across it, put it somewhere else.

 Never leave them unattended

  • Put out candles before you leave a room and before you go to bed.
  • Use a snuffer or a spoon to put them out. Blowing them can send sparks and hot wax flying.

In the event of a power cut or failure

  • Keep a battery operated light or torch handy.
  • If you have to use candles or matches take extra care, never leave the unattended. Make sure they are out before leaving the room or going to bed.

It only takes one candle to put your home at risk, always take care when using them.