28 March 2008

Please be careful if you’re going to be lighting candles during Saturday’s “Lights Out MK” climate change awareness event.

That’s the message from Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service as residents and businesses in Milton Keynes get ready to switch off non-essential lights for an hour from 8pm.

Terry Ridgley, head of the community safety team, said: “It’s a great way to show support for a worldwide environmental movement and save energy at the same time, but we want you to be safe while you do it!

“Inevitably many people will be using candles and tea lights while their lights are out. A candle flame may be small, but more than five fires a day are started in the UK by candles. It only takes a moment’s distraction for a fire to start, but the consequences can be tragic.”

He asked people to remember the following safety tips:

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