Candle safety
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.