Warning after woman is badly burnt while blowing out a candle

A young woman was badly burnt when her hair caught fire as she blew out a candle at her home.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Twenty-five-year-old Emily Fairbrass suffered third degree burns during the horrific accident - and now wants to warn others.

The accident happened last December when Emily leaned over to put out the candle flame and her long blonde locks caught fire, spreading to her head, face and neck.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

She couldn’t douse the flames herself and alerted a neighbour who rang for an ambulance.

Emily in hospital after her horrific accidentEmily in hospital after her horrific accident
Emily in hospital after her horrific accident

“It all happened so quickly. I was at home on my own with my dog and had been cooking so lit a candle to help mask the smell,” she said.

“I never knew something like blowing out a small candle in my dining room could result in this.

“I panicked, I just didn’t know what to do. When the adrenaline kicked in I just kept shouting “my hair, my hair” and saying sorry – I knew I was going to cause everyone, especially my mum, a lot of worry.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Emily was referred to the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead - which treats patients from all over Sussex - for specialist treatment for burns to her face, neck and head.

Emily now - in her wigEmily now - in her wig
Emily now - in her wig

She underwent three skin grafts and - a year later - is still receiving monthly physiotherapy and treatment to reduce scarring.

Emily said: “Without the staff at the hospital I couldn’t have done it. They were so friendly and supportive and helped make it a lot easier when I had to have the dressings changed.

“I now wear a wig but my hair is starting to grow underneath. I have some scarring and skin grafts that you can see but it’s superficial. It hasn’t changed me as a person, if anything it’s made me stronger.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Don’t get me wrong I have my down days when I wished it hadn’t happened but I can’t change it so I’m not going to let it stop me doing the things I want to do.”

The student veterinary nurse is now back at work and studying for her degree but is understandably cautious of candles.

“I consider myself about 50 per cent healed. I’m still battling some scarring but my consultant is pleased that everything is healing as it should.

“I don’t want to tell people not to use candles but please if you do, be careful. If I can prevent one person from going through what I have I will be happy.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Nora Nugent, consultant plastic surgeon at Queen Victoria Hospital, said: “We know this winter people will be spending more time at home and it’s really important that we are all burns aware.

“Candles, including those on Christmas trees or festive decorations, look pretty but can cause life changing injuries.

“Radiators, hot drinks, boiling pans and hot oven dishes can also be potential sources of burns. If the unthinkable does happen, remember to cool the burn as soon as possible with running cool tap water for 20 minutes and remove all clothing and any jewellery, before calling for help.

“This immediate first aid can help make all the difference.”