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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:
Sprinklemetinsel · 09/12/2019 07:29

And the lesson is - never buy a chunky advent candle!

They take forever to burn down- unless you take your eye off them and they do 3 days in e0 seconds! Crown Grin

AlwaysCheddar · 09/12/2019 07:31

Just so stupid..... what part of never leave a fire/candle unattended doesn’t the person get???

TitianaTitsling · 09/12/2019 07:31

I get picture for context, but v irresponsible of whoever set it up, someone, somewhere will copy it! But absolutely a lot candle should never be left unattended!

PermanentTemporary · 09/12/2019 07:32

It's a definite 'hell no' from me.

Karenisbaren · 09/12/2019 07:32

You never ever ever leave a candle burning. It is dangerous.

DeathByPicolax · 09/12/2019 07:32

Christmas trees when growing in the ground and thus have maximum water in them only have 0.3% moisture in their needles. When cut they dehydrate but are still full of flammable pine oil. Anyone with a flame near that incendiary bomb is a bit loose in the napper in my view.
Sorry OP but leaving a lit candle even if it is in the lantern carries a percentage of a chance of fire. Why would you take even that tiny percent?

Sniv · 09/12/2019 07:33

Aside from the obvious and stupid fire risk, what's the point of having it burning when there's no one there to see it? I wouldn't have a decorative electric lamp lit when I'm out or asleep.

Anyway I though the point of an advent candle was just to burn down the set part each day? If you leave it, you'll overshoot.

dudsville · 09/12/2019 07:33

Fire risk

SpeckledyHen · 09/12/2019 07:34

What Fenella said.

YouJustDoYou · 09/12/2019 07:34

Leaving an unattended flame is a massively dumb thing to do.

Blueuggboots · 09/12/2019 07:34

Are you on glue?

Lifeinaplasticbox · 09/12/2019 07:41

I can’t believe that anyone even has to ask this. Why don’t you drop into your local fire station and ask them if it’s recommended

georgialondon · 09/12/2019 07:48

100% unsafe!

CallmeAngelina · 09/12/2019 07:52

I wouldn't leave it lit, no.

Straycatstrut · 09/12/2019 07:53

I wouldn't be able to settle in bed if I knew there was a flame burning downstairs.

It looks lovely OP but much better with someone there to see it! I wish I could have one but have 2 boisterous boys and an even boisterous(er) puppy!

PlatoAteMySnozcumber · 09/12/2019 07:55

I wouldn’t risk my house burning down to ensure my large advent candle melted in time for Xmas.

Bluntness100 · 09/12/2019 07:55

Why would you? It takes two seconds to blow it out then relight the next day. Of course you don't leave a candle burning unattended like that.

tilder · 09/12/2019 07:56

We burnt our last Christmas tree in the garden. After Christmas, obv. I was truly horrified at the speed and ferocity of the fire. Will not do that again.

Also slightly horrified that 2% of people voting on this think yanbu. Really?

CallmeAngelina · 09/12/2019 07:58

Put it this way: how do you think the house insurance people would take it when you inform them that the house fire was caused by a candle left unattended? The fact that it was in a container won't wash, I don't think.

And why? Why not just blow it out? You're not getting any pleasure from watching it burn if you're not around.

BillywigSting · 09/12/2019 07:59

Yabu never ever leave a flame unattended.

I learned this lesson the hard way and my bed caught fire. I was very fucking lucky it wasn't the whole house.

CallmeAngelina · 09/12/2019 07:59

AIBU to suggest that it is your OH who thinks it's OK? Grin

Cultoffortnite · 09/12/2019 08:03

Nope, blow it out. I can give you 3 examples in my experience of people close to me who have had house fires - unattended flame, kid playing with matches, candle fire. In one of those 2 children and an adult died.
Absolutely NOT worth the risk.

Cultoffortnite · 09/12/2019 08:03

Actually 4 if you count the friend of a friend who suffered severe burns when a candle caught her clothes on fire.

VondaVomin · 09/12/2019 08:04

I had a friend whose entire business burnt down due to a candle in a jar. It was almost burnt right down when they closed so they left it, thinking it was safe. On the CCTV you can see the jar crack, the candle flare up presumably due to the side air surge and the fire leap to the wall and it is burning like mad in no time.

Not worth it IMO.

BillywigSting · 09/12/2019 08:05

@Cultoffortnite I was very nearly in the same boat as your friend, terrified of candles now!