Please be careful with candles – that’s the message from Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service following a fire which is believed to have been caused by one.

Terry Ridgley, head of the community safety team, said: “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 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.