Celebrate cosy celebrations safely this autumn

Autumn is the time to curl up and get cosy but while candles can help to create a warm glow, it’s important to use these safely through the chilly autumn nights and celebrations.

Candle Safety Week (held every October) is a great reminder for how to celebrate the changing seasons while keeping your home and family safe from fire.

Here are our top tips for creating comfy, cosy candlelight safely:

• Ensure candles are secured in a candle holder and away from materials that may catch fire, like curtains or loose fitting clothes.
• Don’t burn lots of candles close together as this may cause a larger flame.
• Do not move a candle once lit.
• Always put candles, incense or oil burners out when you leave the room, go to bed or leave the house.
• Never leave children or pets alone with burning candles.
• Alternatively, you could use an LED candle to create the mood without the risk.
• If clothes catch fire, stop, drop and roll.

With Halloween just around the corner, candles used in jack-o-lanterns are a popular choice for families, but parents of young children should consider using LED candles in pumpkins instead of real ones – they don’t blow out and they are much safer, especially around fancy-dress costumes.

Have a happy Halloween but spook safely:

• Keep all fancy-dress costumes away from naked flames.
• Use LED candles in pumpkins – they don’t blow out and they are much safer.
• Burns and scalds last a lifetime. Remember if clothing does catch fire, stop, drop and roll until the fire is out.
• Keep your decorations well away from candles.
• In an emergency cool any burns with large amounts of water and get urgent medical assistance – Remember Cool, Call, Cover.
• Check the labels on any fancy-dress outfits you buy for fire resistance and a registered trademark.
• Remember, cheaper products are more likely to be counterfeit and could burn quickly if they catch fire.

If you’re carving pumpkins this year why not try out our special firefighter pumpkin design. You can download the template here and we hope you have a happy Halloween!