Authorities have issued a warning over a DIY hack that has gone viral as people look for cheaper ways to heat their homes.
With the cost of living through the roof and more traditional methods of heating becoming a luxury, there are dozens of content creators out there offering up money-saving tips to help their followers get through the winter.
One tip that's been popping up online recently involves terracotta plant pots; a common feature in gardens, but not something you'd typically associate with warmth.
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However, some TikTok users have suggested using the pots as a way to maximise heat from candles, with videos showing the pots being placed upside over burning flames.
One TikTok page shared the hack with the caption 'you Terra-GOTTA try this heating hack', but as the videos gained popularity Cheshire Fire and Rescue service commented on one of the clips, saying: “We’d strongly recommend that people don’t try this.”
In a statement to LancsLive, a spokesperson for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service advised against balancing items such as plant pots over naked flames.
They continued: "Candles and tea lights should only be lit when they are in a secure holder, away from items that can catch fire and not on shelves or tables where there is risk they could be knocked over."
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The spokesperson went on to offer some alternative advice for people looking for cheaper ways to warm up saying: "We recommend that people heat the human, not the home. This may involve delaying when you start regularly using your central heating.
"Most people have a set time of year when they feel it's acceptable to start reaching for the thermostat, but why not consider delaying that by a month or so and opting to layer up your clothing/blankets instead to help save money."
"When you need to use your central heating more regularly, check if your system has a timer function. The timer can be used to switch your heating on and off so that you use it less. For example, turning your heating on just for the coldest parts of the day, such as a few hours in the evening and in the morning when you’re waking up means you won’t forget to turn it off and it will help to save you money.
"If you’re able to switch individual radiators off in your home, save money by turning off those in spaces that aren’t often used, only keeping radiators switched on in the rooms you use most."
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While we all want to stay warm, make sure you follow the advice of the professionals when it comes to dealing with open flames.
Emily Brown