Candle Safety Tips

Candles are great for creating a relaxing and seasonal atmosphere in your home, but they also cause an estimated 15,600 house fires, 150 deaths, and 1,270 injuries each year.

We’ve all heard horror stories about candles and they are not the sort of story any of us want to be able to relate to first-hand, so here’s a quick reminder of the essential safety tips:

• Always place candles on a heat resistant surface and in a proper, stable holder
• Position them away from flammable materials – curtains, bedding, shelves, decorations
• Keep clothes and hair away
• Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets
• Keep candles at least 10cm apart
• Never move candles when they are lit or the wax is still molten
• Remember that ‘votive’ type candles melt as they burn and must be in a suitable container
• Never leave a burning candle, not even for a short time and always remember to double-check they are all extinguished before you leave the house or go to bed
• Use a candle snuffer rather than blowing them out (which can spread wax and sparks)
• Follow any specific instructions on the candle packaging – they are there for a reason