Urgent warning issued to anyone who burns candles in their home

Candles can pose huge dangers if they’re not used correctly.

Lighting a candle can bring a sense of calm to any room in your . Whether you opt to light one as a finishing touch to your cleaning routine or you like to have a couple burning while you relax in a well-earned bubble bath, candles can have many uses.

If you light candles regularly, it’s easy to become complacent and think that nothing bad can happen with them as the fire is often small and contained within a glass jar or candle holder. However, one expert has warned that it is always vital that you stay vigilant when burning candles, as they can be highly dangerous.

A woman named Mazza highlighted the dangers of candles in a recent video after she filmed a metal candle tin in her room emitting huge flames as it burned out of control.

She described the flames as a “literal fire pit” and attempted to put the fire out by blowing on it, which did not work.

In her video, Mazza then made the unwise decision to attempt to put the fire out with water. She tipped a small amount of water into the candle, which immediately started spitting and hissing – and the flames grew even higher.

Thankfully, no one was hurt in Mazza’s video, and she later shared a short update video in which she showed that the only damage was a small burn mark on the chest of drawers where the candle had been sitting.

But as fire safety specialist Carlos Dhunay from fire alarm company explained, things could have been much worse for Mazza. Pouring water on a candle to try and put it out is highly dangerous and should never be done.

He said: “Pouring water on a candle fire can be extremely dangerous, especially if the wax has reached a high temperature.

“Wax is oil-based, and when water is introduced, it rapidly turns to steam, causing the hot wax to splatter and spread the fire. If the candle is in a glass container, the sudden temperature change can also cause the glass to shatter, creating further hazards.”

To safely put out a candle, you should attempt to starve the fire of oxygen. You can do this with your candle’s lid, if it has one, or with another fire-resistant object.

Carlos added: “If a candle starts burning uncontrollably, the safest way to extinguish it is to smother the flames. A fire-resistant object like a metal lid, a damp cloth (not dripping wet), or a baking tray can be placed over the candle to cut off its oxygen supply. A candle snuffer is also an effective tool. If necessary, a dry powder fire extinguisher or a fire blanket can be used, but avoid using water.”

It’s also important to remember that candle fires can escalate quickly, especially if you’re burning them near flammable materials such as curtains, paper, or upholstery.

How to prevent candle fires

To use candles as safely as possible, Carlos recommends following these steps:

• Keep candles on a stable, heat-resistant surface away from flammable items.

• Never leave a burning candle unattended, and always extinguish it before leaving a room or going to bed.

• Use flameless LED candles as a safer alternative, particularly in homes with children or pets.

• Trim the wick to about ¼ inch before lighting to prevent excessive flickering and large flames.