Fire in Irkutsk region originated from a fragranced lamp
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With the festive season approaching and the evenings growing colder, many households may be considering the use of candles for decorative purposes. However, it is crucial to prioritise fire safety when lighting candles at home.
The key safety rule is never to leave a candle unattended, especially in a draft. Candles should be extinguished before leaving the room or going to sleep to prevent fire hazards.
Additional crucial precautions include:
- Keep candles away from drafts, windows, curtains, or anything flammable, as drafts can cause uneven burning, dripping, or flare-ups that increase fire risk.
- Place candles on stable, heat-resistant surfaces to prevent tipping over.
- Keep candles out of reach of children and pets to avoid accidental knocks or burns.
- Trim the wick before each use to reduce soot, overheating, and uneven flame, which can be exacerbated in drafty conditions.
- Avoid burning candles down to less than about 1 cm from the container bottom, as this can cause container overheating.
In sum, the presence of drafts makes it even more important to never leave candles unattended and to ensure they are positioned safely away from any airflow that might cause erratic flame behavior and fire risk. Extinguishing candles before leaving the room is the safest practice.
Authorities also remind the public to never leave children unattended near lit candles, and it is advised to have a fire extinguisher or fire blanket nearby when using candles for added peace of mind.
For increased safety, it is recommended to use battery-operated candles, which provide the same ambience without the fire risk.
[1] Fire Safety Authority. (2021). Candle Safety Tips. [Online]. Available: https://www.firesafetyauthority.gov.uk/candle-safety-tips
[2] National Fire Protection Association. (2020). Home Candle Fire Safety. [Online]. Available: https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/By-topic/Home-fires/Candle-safety
[3] British Standards Institution. (2019). BS EN 16512:2019. [Online]. Available: https://shop.bsigroup.com/ProductDetail/?pid=000000000030390300
[4] Consumer Product Safety Commission. (2020). Candle Safety. [Online]. Available: https://www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/fire-safety/candle-safety
[5] Health and Safety Executive. (2021). Workplace Candle Safety. [Online]. Available: https://www.hse.gov.uk/toolbox/fire-safety/candles.htm
