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Fires caused by candles
Candles, decorations and decorative lights are a growing cause of fires. By following these simple guidelines you can use candles safely. Find out how to reduce the risks caused by electrical decorative lighting and what lights to use inside and outside your home.
It only takes one candle to put your home at risk – always take care when using candles. It is important to keep safety in mind whenever you use candles at home.
 
You should take care where you decide to put candles in your home. 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 centimetres (4 inches) between any two candles
  • away from clothes and hair - if there's any chance you could forget where a candle is 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 decorations for celebrations - fire safety
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 take care to keep ribbons, festive decorations made of tissue paper or cardboard, and greetings cards away from heaters, lights, fireplaces and candles.

Fire Safety in the Home

Please click the icon below to download the information we give on a Home Safety Check.