BEWARE OF TEA LIGHT CANDLE DANGER, WARN FIREFIGHTERS
BEWARE OF TEA LIGHT CANDLE DANGER, WARN FIREFIGHTERS
Thousands of people may be putting their lives at risk because they are unaware of the dangers of using tea light candles without placing them in a heat resistant container, West Sussex County Council Fire and Rescue Service warned on (Tuesday, February 24th 2004).
The candles have become an increasingly popular 'lifestyle' product in recent years as people use them to create a relaxing mood in their homes. The manufacturers sell them as refills - and not stand alone candles - but people are not always aware of this.
The warning from West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service follows a fire at a Lancing public house, which they believe may have been caused by a tea light candle being left on a television set. Ten people were taken to hospital for smoke inhalation, three of them had to be rescued by firefighters using ladders and several others escaped by jumping from first floor windows.
This prompted the West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service to carry out a controlled experiment in its purpose built demonstration unit at their Headquarters in Chichester.
Three tea lights were placed on top of a TV set. After 45 minutes, the heat from one of them had caused it to melt into the surface of the set, which resulted in the TV catching fire and emitting thick black toxic smoke.
Gary Towson , of the West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, said: "Because of this, we are now trying to raise awareness of the potential hazard.
"People don't realise that tea lights should never be placed directly onto a combustible surface.
"There must be thousands of people innocently using these candles without realising the dangers. They come with a flat metal base and many people think it is safe to place them directly onto any surface without the need for a candleholder or a heat resistant saucer.
"But if they are used this way on a TV, or around an acrylic bath, for example, they may develop into a potentially fatal fire.
"If you are going to use them, please put them in a proper holder or on a heat-resistant saucer. Don't put yourself in danger."
David Dewdney , County Council Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: "Firefighters always urge caution when using any candles because of the risk of them toppling over.
"But this danger is different because people are using tea light candles mistakenly believing they are not at risk. I urge everyone who use these candles to follow the advice of our firefighters."
Picture Above: The pictures show how a fire developed when West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service firefighters carried out tests on tea light candles at its Chichester HQ.
Enlarged Picture links of this demonstration. See below:
Tea Light 1
Tea Light 2
Tea Light 3
MPEG Video
File size 17.7Mb
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