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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Settle a disagreement: AIBU to leave this advent candle burning throughout December including when everyone is out or in bed?

285 replies

EasilyDistracted77 · 09/12/2019 06:45

Picture for context, the candle is inside the glass/metal case.

One of us is saying it's perfectly safe and that's what an advent candle is for. The other is saying a flame should never be left unattended, no matter how safe it seems.

Settle a disagreement: AIBU to leave this advent candle burning throughout December including when everyone is out or in bed?
OP posts:
pollymere · 11/12/2019 00:02

My Mum had one of those. It exploded. It left a crater in her sideboard, fire and glass everywhere. Luckily she hadn't left it unattended so could quickly put the flames out. Don't risk burning your house down.

HuggedTrees · 11/12/2019 00:06

Fuck no.
Also where do you buy this magic candle that burns so slowly it lasts for 30 days straight?

Dillydallyalltheway · 11/12/2019 08:00

Please don’t do it, it’s obviously seriously dangerous.

StopThePlanet · 11/12/2019 08:03

I don't think you should be allowed to deal with fire at all if you really think leaving it burning unattended is a good idea. FFS 🤪

DoesntLeftoverTurkeySoupDragOn · 11/12/2019 08:14

Do people not read the thread, or even the OP's posts?

It wasn't her, it was her DH and she's delighted to be proved right.

BackOnceAgainWithABurnerEmail · 11/12/2019 08:16

It’s not what it’s for, they’re for lighting for an hour or two. You’d be mad to go to bed with that going.

Betterversionofme · 11/12/2019 08:32

After once having a candle 'lots of candles loving lodger' I added only rule besides paying rent on time and that was 'no candles in this house'. Really small chance of something happening but if it happens consequences are massive. You already have very beautifully decorated place. With fire (is it real fire?) AND a fabric stocking hanging above. Anyway who does see a cancel while sleeping or being out?

Sb74 · 11/12/2019 08:57

The op should never had needed to be proven right?! The fact she needed to ask mn makes her as bad as dh to me! It’s scary that there are people out there that think like that?! Absolutely no common sense whatsoever.

Sb74 · 11/12/2019 08:59

@betterversionofme

no op said the fire is a poster not real?!!! Bizarre!!

DoesntLeftoverTurkeySoupDragOn · 11/12/2019 09:34

The fact she needed to ask mn makes her as bad as dh to me!

She didn't need to ask, she wanted to get lots of second opinions to back her up. 🙄

Sb74 · 11/12/2019 09:43

Oh ok, right?!! 🤔

rachaelclaire1 · 11/12/2019 10:15

From someone who has experienced a house fire NO never leave a candle- fires are devastating

LimaCharlieHotelPapa · 11/12/2019 10:20

It's a candle, not a life support machine. Regardless of the reason for keeping it lit it really isn't worth the risk. However safe you think it is it's still a flame in a house of flammable objects.

A lady in my company had a serious fire in her home Monday morning and has lost everything - including her pets - and is now homeless. Please keep safe and switch to a battery operated candle if you feel the need to keep a light on.

jwpetal · 11/12/2019 10:44

My bathroom caught fire when the candle holder the candle was in burst. Thankfully, I was home cleaning and heard a strange noise to find the fire go up the wall and was able to stop it. Please don't ever leave a candle. A freak accident is all it takes for all to be gone.

sqirrelfriends · 11/12/2019 11:20

Not worth the risk to leave unattended.

I have candles still but they're for decoration only, I became anxious about lighting them after having DS.

Susan1961 · 11/12/2019 12:39

I've done daft things, left them lit and gone out, melted wax on carpet, etc. Too risky.

Harls1969 · 11/12/2019 13:21

Is it really worth the risk? Pretty sure your home insurance would be void if a fire starts because of a candle. Probably won't happen, but it might.

lisag1969 · 11/12/2019 13:34

Don't leave it burning unattended. Asking for trouble

Tessabelle74 · 11/12/2019 13:42

Any firefighters on here must be having palpitations! Tinsel above an open flame, flammable material in front of it AND a candle standing in a glass case standing on it (glass is an excellent conductor of heat) of course, if you want a new house after this one burns down its perfectly fine. Otherwise whoever said it's safe is BU

Squoozie · 11/12/2019 14:10

@Tessabelle74 if you'd even just read the OP's posts, you'd know the fire is just a picture, not real. Fair enough about the candle, except it wasn't lit and it was just for illustrative purposes; we don't know that that is where it's normally kept. Not only that, but the OP has confirmed that it's her DH who thinks it's ok, not her.

🙄

Mummmmyof2 · 11/12/2019 14:29

I have an advent candle and I would NEVER leave it burning. I let it on an evening while we sit in the room and then blow it out when we leave...I wouldn't dream of leaving it burning unsupervised.

Settle a disagreement: AIBU to leave this advent candle burning throughout December including when everyone is out or in bed?
Spied · 11/12/2019 14:32

I'd never dream of leaving it burning.

Lweji · 11/12/2019 15:00

Small risk, maybe, but huge consequences for no particular benefit.
Definitely not worth it.

MrsTerryPratchett · 11/12/2019 15:16

Presumably they used oil lamps in Judea so it's not even 'Christmassy'.

PlutoAjder · 11/12/2019 15:22

Glad the op got the "this is a dumb idea" backup she needed. I'm astounded that her DH ever thought it was ok, we've had similar (a smaller) candle and the glass randomly shattered, the force knocked it over onto wooden decking!

Thank fuck we witnessed it, the BBQ was right next to it. No idea how it happened but maybe a small manufacturers flaw or bump and if it'd been inside and unattended, the whole place would have gone up in flames.