Candle Safety – The Essentials

Candle safety is very important. The flame may be small – but more than five fires a day are started by candles. It only takes a moment’s distraction for a fire to start but the consequences can be tragic. It’s important to treat lighted candles as you would any other flame – with care!

Candle Safety Tips

• Keep candles away from draughts – and anything that can easily catch fire like furniture or curtains.
• Don’t let candles fall over! – You need to keep candles firmly upright in a proper holder.
• Always place candles on a heat resistant surface. Night lights and tea lights can melt plastic surfaces like TV tops and bathtubs.
• Don’t lean across candles! – You could set fire to your clothes or hair.
• Always leave a gap of at least four inches (10 cm) between two burning candles.
• Remember – Use a glass or metal holder for scented candles, which turn into liquid to release their fragrance.
• Mind the gap! – Don’t put candles under shelves or other surfaces.
• Don’t let anything fall into the hot wax like matchsticks.
• Use a ‘snuffer’ or a spoon to put candles out. It’s safer than blowing them, which can send sparks and hot wax flying.
• Always – put candles out before you move them.
• Never – leave candles unattended and put them out completely at night.
• Keep candles out of reach of children and pets.
• Candles – that have been put out can go on smouldering and start a fire.

The best way for you to protect yourself and your home is to buy a smoke alarm. They cost from as little as £5 and you can be brought from supermarkets or directly from a reputable fire protection company such as MAGG. Remember to test them every week!