Candle fire safety
Over recent years the popularity of candles used in our homes for romantic nights, birthdays, family occasions, religious festivals or as a relaxant, has increased considerably, and so has the number of fire started by them. However introducing any naked flame into our homes we must take extra care, especially where there may be children.
It only takes one candle to put your home at risk, keep the following safety tips in mind whenever you use candles in the home.
Lighted candles – where to put them
Candles are best placed:
- on a heat-resistant surface - be especially careful with night lights and tea lights, which get hot enough to melt plastic
- in a proper candle holder, so they don't fall over
- out of the reach of children and pets
- out of draughts and away from curtains, other fabrics or furniture, which could catch fire
- with at least 1 metre (3 feet) between the candle and any surface above it
- with at least 10 centimeters (4 inches) between any two candles
- 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
Make sure you put out candles before moving them and don't let anything fall into the hot wax, like matchsticks.
Putting candles out
Never leave a candle unattended. Make sure you:
- put out candles before you leave a room and before you go to bed
- never leave a burning candle or oil burner in a child's bedroom
- use a snuffer or a spoon to put them out – blowing them can send sparks and hot wax flying
- double-check that they are completely out and not still smoldering
Candles and celebrations
Candles and night lights are often used in celebrations for Christmas, Diwali and other festivals. Make sure you don't put candles in, or by, a Christmas tree, plants, flowers or other foliage. You should also be careful that ribbons, greetings cards and other decorations aren’t near any candle flames.
