Candles

Candles are a popular and comforting addition to any home, but they can also be a fire hazard if not used properly.

Here are some tips to keep in mind when using candles. 

• Never leave a burning candle unattended. This is the most important rule of candle safety. Always extinguish candles before leaving a room or going to bed. 
• Use sturdy candle holders made of non-flammable materials. Make sure the candle fits snugly in the holder and can't tip over. Place them on a heat-resistant surface.  
• Keep candles and flames away from clothes, curtains, cushions, paper and other flammable materials.  
• Do not put candles under shelves, the heat rises up to the shelf and can cause a fire. 
• Do not use candles if you’ve been drinking alcohol or feel sleepy.
• Trim the wick to 1/4 inch before lighting the candle. A longer wick can cause the candle to burn too quickly or unevenly. 
• Don't burn candles all the way down to the bottom. The heat from the flame can cause the container to crack or break. 

Tea-lights

Tea-lights are cheap and small, but as they are an open flame they are just as dangerous as other candles. The little metal pots that tea-lights come in can get very hot. They can melt through plastic and have the potential to start a house fire. 

Here are some tips for using tea-lights safely. 

• Never leave a lit tea-light unattended, even for a few seconds. 
• Use a holder designed specifically for tea-lights. The holder should be made of non-flammable materials and should be sturdy enough to hold the candle upright. 
• Place the tea-light holder on a flat, stable surface. Otherwise, the hot wax can spill out causing the tea-light candle to fall over.  
• As you would a candle, keep them away from flammable objects such as curtains and paper.  

Incense

Although there’s no flame, the embers of incense sticks or cones get very hot and can start fires.  

• Always use an incense holder that is designed for burning incense. This helps prevent it from falling over and catching the ash. 
• Place the incense burner on a heat-resistant surface such as a ceramic tile or a metal plate to avoid any risk of fire. 
• Keep incense away from flammable objects, such as curtains or papers, and out of reach of children and pets. 
• Never leave burning incense unattended and make sure to fully extinguish it before leaving the room or going to bed. 

Essential-oil burners

Essential oil-burners are a popular way to enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy, but they also require some precautions. Here are some tips for using essential oil-burners safely. 

• Never use a cracked or broken essential oil-burner and never let the oil burn right down. 
• Use a burner that is made specifically for essential oils. Regular candle holders are not designed to hold essential oils and can become too hot. 
• Use a heat-resistant surface for the burner. The surface should be stable and non-flammable. 
• Don't leave the burner unattended while it's in use. Essential oils can be flammable, and the burner can become too hot. 
• Use a small amount of essential oil. Using too much oil can cause the flame to become too large and create a fire hazard. 

If any of the above items are seen to be used in a way that would cause a fire risk we will remove them from the property to ensure the safety of yourselves and others in the building.