| Fire Kills campaign offers some tips for Candle Fire Safety Week |
This week (19th-25th November) is Candle Fire Safety Week and Fire Service’s across the country are asking people to take extra care and snuff out the risk of fire in their homes.
With the days growing darker and winter setting in, a few candles scattered round the room can lend a warm glow to an evening in or add some festive cheer to the season’s celebrations. But with candle fires resulting in over 350 casualties each year, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service are asking people to take extra care with candles this winter.
The most important step one can take to keep loved ones safe is to ensure home has a working smoke alarm. To prevent candle fires from starting in home, one should make sure all candles are kept away from flammable materials like curtains and ensure candles are put out while leaving the room, even for a moment.
Candles are a typical sight in many homes, scenting rooms and giving an atmospheric glow to cold winter nights. But it’s important to remember that a candle is not just a decorative feature. Left unattended, an open flame scenting home could leave a trail of devastation.
Even with these precautions it’s vital to be prepared should the worst happen. A working smoke alarm can give the vital time one needs to get out, stay out and call 999. Keep on testing alarm regularly and practicing escape routes.”
To help enjoy candles safely, the Fire Kills campaign has offered some tips for this Candle Fire Safety Week:
- Never leave lit candles unattended. Put burning candles out when you leave the room, and make sure they’re out completely at night.
- Place your candles carefully. Make sure they are on a stable surface, out of the reach of pets and children, and keep them away from flammable objects like curtains, furniture, bedding and books.
- Don’t move candles once they are lit.
- Do not burn several candles close together as this might cause the flame to flare
- Burn candles in a well-ventilated room, out of drafts, vents or air currents. This will help prevent rapid or uneven burning, soot, and dripping.
- Put candles out with a snuffer or a spoon - sparks can fly if you blow them out.
- Always put scented candles in a heat resistant holder. These candles are designed to liquify when heated to maximise fragrance.
- Fit a smoke alarm and test it regularly. A working smoke alarm can buy you valuable time to get out, stay out and call 999.