Candle safety at home

Never leave a lit candle unattended and always put candles out before leaving the room or going to bed.

Take extra care around children and pets.

Consider safer alternatives such as LED candles for celebrations and special occasions.

Keep candles away from curtains, decorations, paper, furniture and anything else that can burn.

Placement and holders

Use a proper heat-resistant holder on a stable surface.

Tea lights can get very hot and should never be placed directly on plastic surfaces or furniture without a suitable holder.

Candles should never be left burning when no-one is in the room. Put them out before you leave the house, leave the room or go to sleep.

Include candles in your before-bed checks and make sure all flames are fully out.

Take extra care if children or pets are nearby, as candles can easily be pulled over or knocked off surfaces.

Celebrations and special occasions can increase risk because homes may have more decorations, more visitors and more distractions.

Make sure you have working smoke alarms on every level of your home and test them regularly.

Plan how you would escape if a fire started, keep exits clear and leave keys where everyone can find them quickly.

In a fire: get out, stay out and call 999.