Speaking live on BBC Radio Two’s Jeremy Vine Show which reaches six million listeners, Roy explained that often people are unaware that the foil or plastic holder is only designed to contain wax and that they need to be placed on or in a non flammable holder.

“One of the major problems is when tea lights are placed directly onto a combustible surface, such as a television set or a bath,” he explained. “Due to the high temperatures created the tea light burns through the plastic and drops into the television set, immediately setting fire to the television and possibly the rest of the room.” He continued to explain: “Leaving paper or a match in the holder during burning leads to a process called ‘double wicking’. This creates two wicks and the container can heat up to more than 300 degrees centigrade.”

During the show Roy called for safety information to be printed on individual tea lights and for manufacturers to produce safe holders that do not conduct heat through the base. Speaking after the show Roy said: “I was pleased to be invited to speak on the show.