Campaign shines light on fire safety

Sutton Council has joined the London Fire Brigade to warn people about candles at Christmas.

Candles are one of the most common causes of fire and although they create a lovely warm glow – they need to be used with care.

Last year, more than 230 fires in London were connected to candle use... but if you follow some simple tips, you can use them safely at home.

Philip Morton, Sutton Borough Commander for the London Fire Brigade, at Wallington Fire Station, in Belmont Road, said: " Always make sure candles, incense and oil burners are put out completely and never left unattended.

"They should always be held firmly in heat-resistant holders and placed on a stable surface where they won’t be knocked over. Tea lights get very hot and without proper holders they can melt through plastic surfaces such as TVs."

A safer alternative to using candles are LED tea lights as they are safe even if you forget to blow them out and fall asleep.

For more fire safety advice, visit www.london-fire.gov.uk