AIBU to be worried about candles?

[UnbalancingAct]

Just had a word with my neighbours about rising electricity prices and she mentioned getting the candles out. Previously chatting to MIL she mentioned lanterns and a bit later I realised she meant lanterns to put candles in rather than a battery powered or solar camping type lantern. She is getting elderly and quite shaky.

AIBU to be concerned that there are going to be a lot more house fires this winter? We live on the top floor of a block of flats. The thought of our very elderly downstairs neighbour using candles in her flat gives me the collywobbles! I'm very strict with the Dc about candles, they're only used on the dining room table and last person to leave blows them out.

[MintJulia]

@gogohmm

Candles cost far more than running electric lights! A standard led light costs pennies a day whereas even cheap candles will cost a lot more for the same period of time

Candles are the emergency backup, when there is no power.

[Chouetted]

@gogohmm

Candles cost far more than running electric lights! A standard led light costs pennies a day whereas even cheap candles will cost a lot more for the same period of time

Cheaper if you already have the candles though, and they give off some heat.

[Lysianthus]

@Hyperion100

Surely its cheaper to use a 5w led lightbulb?

Its about 5p for 12 hours

Do you mean with a battery? Because I think the candle thing is for when there are power cuts?

[milveycrohn]

Re cost of electricty, then it is best to use led lights, as they are very low in costs.
However, there has been talk of possible power cuts.
I am old enough to remember power cuts occassionally, and I have insisted that our torches are in a safe easily accessible known place, as an immediate thing to use. (yes, I have a phone with a torch, but it is not always on my person).
Previously power cuts have only ever lasted a few hours, so I would not expect any to last long.
Re costs of energy, then using say washing machines at night when its cheaper, or batch cooking, turn heating down low (lower than usual).
However, we do light the occassional dining table candles at christmas, but they are always in proper holders, where it would be almost impossible for anything to brush against it and catch fire. Even so, I never leave (even Christmas lights) on at night, and would never ever leave a candle unattended.

Please do not bring a BBQ indoors; There must always be proper ventilation, or you could die of carbon monoxide poisoning.

[thunderhoney]

Tell your neighbour that a burnt down house is a cold house..

[MarshaMelrose]

Candles are the emergency backup, when there is no power.

Do you mean with a battery? Because I think the candle thing is for when there are power cuts?

No, its about saving money.
Opening op...
Just had a word with my neighbours about rising electricity prices and she mentioned getting the candles out.

The national grid are not warning or predicting blackouts.

[KnickerlessParsons]

@ChaosMoon

Yep. It's going to happen. Some of the suggestions I've heard for lighting and heating houses this winter have been terrifying.

Did you see the post about bringing a garden incinerator indoors, plugging up the holes and fixing a type of extraction tube to it to take the smoke outside.
Please tell me it was a wind up.

[Grumpybutfunny]

We use a lot of candles and oil burners. As long as they are used safely they are perfectly fine. Hopefully capping the bills means people won't resort to extreme measures

[Bubblebubblebah]

@KnickerlessParsons

Did you see the post about bringing a garden incinerator indoors, plugging up the holes and fixing a type of extraction tube to it to take the smoke outside.
Please tell me it was a wind up.

It was pbp

[Alphabet1spaghetti2]

I’ve bought some of those childrens rechargeable night lights, they have a timer that switches them off after 15 mins, or you can leave them on. Alongside regular torches for any power cuts. One or the other is in each room just in case. No way am I allowing candles in our home.

@KnickerlessParsons yes it was a wind up - mn hq took the post down as a known troll who had posted several such threads apparently.

[JamesWilbyFanClub]

I have bought 4 torches and a battery recharger/,rechargeable batteries and 3 phone power packs (and a slow cooker and a heated airer.... it's expensive saving money.,..) but it's a big no to candles. No no no no no no.

[Bubblebubblebah]

I love my candles and have a LOT. They create lovely calm space for me. Nowadays most candles are safe shape so are not easy to knock over.

I agree with pps they are not cheaper than heating and electric lights though!

I think lots of people are panicking without realising their DDs already pay for a large part of the heat, it's not like every time they turn it on they will pay on top of their DD. While it dod get more expensive, never turning it on is not the answer

[Bubblebubblebah]

Should be more afraid of cookers I guess

[GuerlainHo]

I’ve seen videos of people using candles to cook in the hob

[Bubblebubblebah]

@GuerlainHo

I’ve seen videos of people using candles to cook in the hob

As long as everyone ignores 5minutes crafts all should be ok! 🙈

Honestly, I raise eybrow seeing some of the tips. So does probably any medic and fireman!

[justasking111]

I would buy a lantern @UnbalancingAct then show it to neighbour making out you bought it for yourself and thought she might like to try it out. That might sway her. They give out more light than a candle. I walked past Yankees candle shop the other day ugh the smell. When friends burn them some make me cough

[smilingthroughgrittedteeth]

We use candles all the time but have safe (impossible to knock over ) holders and only use them in the lounge and dining room (pretty open plan layout) when were in there. Ive just bought a load more to use over the winter however i do agree with you that its concerning people will be using them in a way thats not safe.

We have rechargable sensor strip lights on the stairs so we dont have to put on lights and will have light in the event of a power cut and the kids all have rechargable night lights which we run off of power banks if needed.

We have an open fire and had a chimney sweep out yesterday to check it over and make sure its safe ahead of winter and he was saying how busy hes been this year with people who've decided to open up their fireplaces, he said hes condemned more than his issued safety certificates for so it is worrying to think people will be using fireplaces who havent had them checked.