ALDI shoppers are warning about “exploding” Christmas candles at the discounter that look similar to Yankee’s versions.

Customer Cathy Lewis-Clugston, 58, said her Black Forest Gateau candle shattered a few days ago, leaving behind hot wax and shards of glass.

Aldi shoppers are being warned about "exploding" Christmas candles that look similar to Yankee's versions following complaints

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Aldi shoppers are being warned about “exploding” Christmas candles that look similar to Yankee’s versions following complaints

The retired police officer had bought the candle at the discounter for £3.99, where it’s said to offer 170 hours of burn time.

Cathy, who lives in Matlock, Derbyshire, had several candles burning when she heard a loud bang, sending her terrified cat running upstairs.

She said: “I noticed the candle had gone out but on closer inspection, I realised that the flame hadn’t just burned out – the glass jar encasing the candle had shattered.

“I went over and there were large chunks of glass scattered about on the coffee table.

“I’d put the candle on a wicker mat, and there was wax all over the place. I thought, ‘It’s exploded’.”

Aldi customer Cathy Lewis-Clugston said her Black Forest Gateau candle shattered a few days ago, leaving behind hot wax and shards of glass in her living room

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Aldi customer Cathy Lewis-Clugston said her Black Forest Gateau candle shattered a few days ago, leaving behind hot wax and shards of glass in her living room
The retired police officer had several candles burning when she heard a loud bang

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The retired police officer had several candles burning when she heard a loud bang

She added: “As somebody who likes scented candles, I’ve burned them for years and years, quite often Yankee ones, but other ones as well.

“Never once has this happened. This is the only time.”

Luckily she wasn’t harmed, nor was her cat Lizzie, though the pet was left frightened by the explosion.

Cathy, who was alone in the house, said: “It’s just lucky I wasn’t sitting next to the candle, and there weren’t kids or anyone else around.

“After I realised what it was, I was really quite angry. It clearly isn’t fit for purpose if it can’t withstand the heat from the flame, and it shouldn’t be sold.”

Aldi shoppers have also complained about exploding candles on Twitter

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Aldi shoppers have also complained about exploding candles on Twitter

Following the complaint, Aldi has urged Christmas shoppers to follow the printed safety instructions when lighting the aromatic candles.

A spokesperson said: “We are sorry to hear about Ms Lewis-Clugston’s experience.

“Candles should always be used in accordance with the safety instructions provided, including ensuring the correct distance between multiple candles.”

The candles in question are listed as unavailable on Aldi’s website.

They were rolled out as Specialbuys in stores too, where they’ll be available as long as stocks last, Aldi told The Sun.

Another Aldi shopper also urged consumers to steer clear of Aldi's own-brand candles online

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Another Aldi shopper also urged consumers to steer clear of Aldi’s own-brand candles online

It’s not the first time an Aldi shopper complains about the supermarket’s own-brand candles.

In October this year, Emily Redfearn posted images on Twitter of her Aldi Coconut Noir Candle in pieces after it went up in flames and shattered.

In the tweet, she wrote: “Hey @AldiUK , we’ve just had one of your candles set fire and explode in our bedroom.

“We lit the candle around four hours before this. Thankfully we both noticed it, but how has this passed safety tests?

“The outcome could have been a lot worse than the burn marks on our furniture.”

And in July, Maisie Sutton shared a similar experience with the Aldi Summer Sands candle, warning fellow Twitter users not to buy them after one “exploded” just ten minutes after it was lit.

It comes after a Liverpool mum said her son was “nearly blinded” last December when the supermarket candle exploded glass across the room.

Emma Landers said the Aldi Number 3 candle was placed on the bottom of the fireplace before it “became like a bomb”.

Top tips for burning candles safely

THE UK Fire Service has shared the following Do’s and Don’ts when it comes to burning candles safely.

  • Put candles on a heat resistant surface: Be especially careful with night lights and tea lights, which get hot enough to melt plastic.
  • Put them in a proper holder: Candles need to be held firmly upright by the holder so they won’t fall over.
  • Position them away from curtains: Don’t put candles near curtains or other fabrics – or furniture.
  • Don’t put them under shelves: It’s easy to forget that there’s a lot of heat above a burning candle. Make sure there’s at least 3ft (one metre) between a candle and any surface above it
  • Keep clothes and hair away: If there’s any chance you could lean across a candle and forget it’s there, put it somewhere else. You don’t want to set fire to your clothes or your hair
  • Keep children and pets away: Candles should be out of reach of children and pets
  • Keep candles apart: Leave at least 4inches (10cm) between two burning candles
  • Take care with votive or scented candles: These kinds of candles turn to liquid to release their fragrance, so put them in a glass or metal holder
  • Don’t move them when they’re burning: Extinguish candles before moving them.
  • Don’t leave them burning: Extinguish candles before you leave a room. Never go to sleep with a candle still burning. And never leave a burning candle or oil burner in a child’s bedroom
  • Use a snuffer or a spoon to put them out: It’s safer than blowing them, which can send sparks and hot wax flying
  • Double check they’re out: Candles that have been put out can go on smouldering and start a fire, so make sure they’re completely out.

A few years ago, a mum told of her shock after an Aldi candle exploded next to her five-year-old daughter – sending glass flying through the air.

A Yankee Candle also exploded on the windowsill at one family’s home, while the young son was having a sleepover.

Meanwhile, a Primark shopper recently issued a warning against a £1 candle after it exploded and shattered after being lit for just 45 minutes.

Yankee Candle reveal the Scent of the Year 2020

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk

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