Jake Massey
People have been warned to avoid a viral heating hack involving terracotta pots.
As we all know, energy bills are through the roof, and people have been trying creative ways to combat the cost of living crisis - but some ways are wiser than others.
Watch the hack here:
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One tip floating about on social media involves terracotta plant pots; a common feature in gardens, but not something you'd typically associate with warmth.
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 account shared the hack with the caption 'you Terra-GOTTA try this heating hack', and it has been viewed 1.5 million times.
However, as the videos gained popularity, Cheshire Fire and Rescue service commented on one of the clips, making it clear that it's a terrible-cotta idea.
They wrote: "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 explained: "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."
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."
They continued: "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."
And remember folks, don't go balancing things precariously around open flames - and be grateful that the cold snap has ended... and we've returned to the cold to mild, grey, windy, wet and dreary weather we all know and love.