press release snuff out the risk this candle fire safety week

PRESS RELEASE
12/11/2012 No: 58/RBFRS
SNUFF OUT THE RISK THIS CANDLE FIRE SAFETY WEEK
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) is supporting the Government’s national
Fire Kills campaign by asking people to take extra care when using candles in the home this
Candle Fire Safety Week (19-25 November).
Candles can give your home a lovely atmospheric glow on a dark winter’s evening but with over
40% of all fires started by candles in England resulting in death or injury 1 , it’s important to use
them safely.
RBFRS recommends following these simple tips to reduce the risk of a candle-related fire
starting in the home:
Never leave lit candles unattended. Put them out when you leave the room and make
sure they are completely out at night.
Place your 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 e.g. curtains,
furniture, bedding and books.
Don’t move candles once they are lit.
Do not burn several candles close together – this might cause the flame to flare.
Always burn candles in a well-ventilated room, out of drafts, vents or air currents.
This will help prevent rapid or uneven burning, soot and dripping.
It’s best to 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 types of candles are
designed to liquefy when heated to maximise fragrance.
Paul Jacques, Group Manager for Prevention at RBFRS, said: “Fortunately, the number of
incidents involving candles has been quite low so far this year in Berkshire but when they do
happen, they can cause devastating damage. Although they look attractive, candles are still
open flames and, as such, extra care needs to be taken when using them.
Contd/...
1 Statistics provided by Fire Kills
Issued by Ellie Gray, Senior Corporate Communications Officer
Tel: 0118 938 4804 Email: graye@rbfrs.co.uk
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, 103 Dee Road, Tilehurst, Reading, Berkshire RG30 4FS

PRESS RELEASE
“As well as following our safety tips, we strongly advise people to protect themselves and their
loved ones by fitting smoke alarms to every level of their homes and testing the batteries every
week. It is also important to make an escape plan in advance, so that everyone knows the
quickest and easiest way out of the house in an emergency.”
ENDS.
Notes to Editors:
Candle Fire Safety Week was created by the Government’s Fire Kills campaign, the British
Candlemakers’ Federation and the UK Cleaning Products Industry Association. The aim of the
week is to raise awareness of the safety measures that should be followed when using candles.
Issued by Ellie Gray, Senior Corporate Communications Officer
Tel: 0118 938 4804 Email: graye@rbfrs.co.uk
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, 103 Dee Road, Tilehurst, Reading, Berkshire RG30 4FS