 What’s the fuss about candles?
 Over recent years the popularity of candles has increased considerably and so to the number of fires started by them. Candles are at the centre of birthdays, family occasions, religious festivals and the home itself. However, whenever a naked flame such as candles, oil and incense burners are introduced into the home care must be taken, especially where there may be children.
William Brown, County Fire Officer, Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service issues the following warning, “Great care should be taken when using candles, so follow this simple fire safety advice:-
- Put them on a heat resistant surface - Be especially careful with nightlights and tea lights, which get hot enough to melt plastic. TVs are not fire-resistant objects.
- Put them in a proper holder -Candles need to be held firmly upright by the holder so they won’t fall over. The holder needs to be stable too, so it won’t fall over either.
- Position them away from curtains - Don’t put candles too near curtains, other fabrics or furniture. Keep them out of draughts.
- Don’t put them under shelves - It’s easy to forget that there’s a lot of heat above a burning candle. If you put it under a shelf or other surface it can start a fire. Make sure there’s at least three feet (one metre) between a candle and any surface above it.
- Keep clothes and hair away - If there’s any chance you could lean across a candle and forget it’s there, put it somewhere else. You don’t want to set fire to your clothes or your hair.
- Keep children and pets away - Candles should be out of reach of children and pets.
- Keep candles apart - Leave at least four inches (10cm) between two burning candles.
- Take care with votive or scented candles - These kinds of candles turn to liquid to release their fragrance, so put them in a glass or metal holder.
- Don’t move them when they’re burning - Extinguish candles before moving them. Also, don’t let anything fall into the hot wax like match sticks.
- Don’t leave them burning - Extinguish candles before you leave a room. Never go to sleep with a candle still burning and never leave a burning candle or oil burner in a child’s bedroom.
- Use a snuffer or a spoon to put them out - It’s safer than blowing them, which can send sparks and hot wax flying.
- Double-check they’re out -Candles that have been put out can go on smouldering and start a fire. Make sure they’re completely out.
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