Warning over candle hazard in safety week

CHESHIRE firefighters are warning people to take care during Candle Fire Safety Week.

Candle safety week runs from until October, 21 and is the ideal opportunity to highlight the importance of taking care with lit candles.

With winter setting in, a few candles around the room can give some warmth to an evening.

But with candle fires resulting in around 350 casualties each year, Cheshire Fire And Rescue Service is asking for people to take extra care with candles.

Nearly 40% of all fires started by candles result in a death or injury.

The most important step to keeping safe is to ensure that the smoke alarm works.

A working smoke alarm can give vital time to get out and call 999.

Some tips on how to use candles safely:

Never leave lit candles unattended. Put burning candles out when leaving a room, and make sure they are out completely at night.

Place 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 wellventilated room, out of drafts, vents or air cur- rents. 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.

Make sure that everyone in your home knows what to do if a fire should occur and practise your escape route.

Firefighters are warning about jar candles.

Sometimes with jar candles the jars can shatter without warning when the level of wax in the jar falls to the base due to less heat energy being absorbed.

Users are advised to supervise and extinguish the candle when the level of wax reduces close to the base of a jar.

Even once the candle is out, never pick up a hot jar that has contained a burning candle until it has cooled down.