Elf On The Shelf: Parents Warned Not To Put Elf Near Lamps Or Hot Areas After Pictures Show Him 'Scorched'

Don't go near lights with your elf 💡
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Parents are being warned about where they place their Elf On the Shelf after one got burned through its back.

The Dublin Fire Brigade tweeted the warning on 12 December as a reminder to keep all elves - and decorations - away from the heat.

“Close one for this #ElfOnAShelf after she ended up on a lamp,” they wrote alongside the photo of the elf.

“The householder had done the right thing and purchased one with a CE mark. The elf resisted heat for 40 minutes.”

Parents have the option to buy different elf toys if they’re taking part in the December tradition, so it’s worth checking whether yours has a CE mark.

A CE mark means it’s a product that conforms with health, safety, and environmental protection standards sold within the European Economic Area.

Barrie Fire Service in Canada tweeted a similar warning on 8 December, showing further pictures of scorched elves.

“We know that the #elfontheshelf is famous for getting into mischief,” they wrote. “Please make sure you keep it away from anything hot. Lots of burned/scorched damaged elves out there.”

So it’s probably best not to leave your elf like this for too long... 

Elves can be bought from a number of different manufacturers.

A spokesperson for Elf on the Shelf® told HuffPost UK: “Santa’s official Scout Elves believe in safety. They avoid getting hurt by keeping a safe distance from the glimmering lights on the Christmas tree, open flames and other sources of heat.

“If you notice a Scout Elf has landed too close to a flame or light, just let him know so he can fly to a new spot.”

Before You Go

Christmas Gifts For Kids
Wooden Kitchen Playset(01 of30)
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Aldi's wooden toy range has been a hit this year, and they've still got products available for Christmas. Let kids make you "breakfast" in bed, without any mess.
Suitable for children aged three and over.
Price: £17.99.
Buy: Aldi, in-store only.
(credit:Aldi)
Real Den Adventure Kit(02 of30)
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This kit has everything your kids will need to build a real den - anywhere.
Suitable for kids aged eight and above.
Price: £34.95.
Buy here.
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My 1st Smartphone(03 of30)
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Whether we like it or not, our little ones will see us on our phones. Get your toddler their very own wooden smartphone with makeshift earphones.
Suitable for children aged three and above.
Price: £12.
Buy here.
(credit:KIDLY)
Ice Cream Mug(04 of30)
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Surely ensuring your kids get their recommended daily water intake is *much* more fun when drunk out of an ice cream cup?
Recommended age not stated.
Price: £10.99.
Buy here.
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Playmobil Vet Clinic(05 of30)
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No gift guide is complete without a Playmobil present, and this bargain gift comes with a set-up vet clinic as well as a carry case for just £9.99. Not bad.
Suitable for kids aged four and above.
Price: £9.99.
Buy here.
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Lego Yellow Submarine(06 of30)
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Introduce your kids to the Beatles... and then buy this Lego Yellow Submarine. It even comes with four minifigures: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.
Suitable for ages 10 and above.
Price: £54.99.
Buy here.
(credit:LEGO)
Fingerlings(07 of30)
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These creatures that balance on fingers seemed to have been dubbed the hottest toy this year - and thankfully you can grab them for under 15 quid.
Suitable for ages five and over.
Price: £14.99.
Buy here.
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Design Your Own Comic Book(08 of30)
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Let your kids get imaginative and crafty with this activity pack to design their own superhero comic book. We sort of want one too.
Suitable for kids aged seven and above.
Price: £9.95.
Buy here.
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Magical Fairy Garden(09 of30)
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A great project for children in the new year: They follow the guide to learn how to construct their own miniature cottage and living garden.
Suitable for children aged four and above.
Price: £16.95.
Buy here.
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Doodle Socks(10 of30)
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We're constantly telling little ones to stop drawing on anything other than paper - but now it's time to do the opposite. These doodle socks let children personalise them how they want.
Suitable for children aged five and above.
Price: £15.29.
Buy here.
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Personalised Xylophone(11 of30)
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Get a child's name transcribed onto their first ever instrument (and be prepared for the noise to follow).
Suitable for kids aged three and above.
Price: £12.10.
Buy here.
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Hatchimals ColleGGTibles(12 of30)
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It was the toy that dominated 2016 and now they are back, cheaper, and available to buy. The mini Hatchimals come in small speckled eggs.
Suitable for children aged five and over.
Price: £2.99.
Buy here.
(credit:Hatchimals)
Keepsake Storybook(13 of30)
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Be warned: It *might* end up being one of those books that you read over and over again.
Suitable for children aged two to eight.
Price: £15.96.
Buy here.
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DIY Unicorn Kit(14 of30)
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Because let's be honest, who doesn't want to be a unicorn?
Suitable for kids aged 14 and above.
Price: £12.95.
Buy here.
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Paw Patrol Activity Desk(15 of30)
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Fans of 'Paw Patrol' will love the opportunity to draw alongside their favourite characters.
Suitable for ages three to six.
Price: £12.50.
Buy here.
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SoundMoovz(16 of30)
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A new gadget for older kids, where you make music by moving - rather than moving to the music.
Suitable from children aged eight and above.
Price: £39.99.
Buy here.
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Personalised Toy Set(17 of30)
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This soft sculptured tool set offers no-hurt fun - got any DIY to be getting on with?
Suitable for kids aged 12 months and above.
Price: £38.
Buy here.
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Zoo Apron(18 of30)
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Inspire kids to cook with this brightly-coloured apron, but be prepared for the mess!
Age recommendation not stated.
Price: £10.
Buy here.
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Monkey Pins(19 of30)
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A perfect indoor game to play with the little ones on Christmas day.
Suitable for kids aged three and above.
Price: £5.80.
Buy here.
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Moana Doll(20 of30)
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Moana has to be up there as one of everyone's favourite Disney characters this year.
Suitable for ages 36 months to seven years.
Price: £24.99.
Buy here.
(credit:Amazon)
Whizz World Train Station(21 of30)
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With sounds and bright colours, toddlers will have a whale of a time with their new train set.
Suitable for kids from 12 months and above.
Price: £20.
Buy here.
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Bath Toy Sea Plane(22 of30)
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Your kids can let the sea plane ride the water, making bath time so much more fun.
Suitable for ages one and above.
Price: £13.50.
Buy here.
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Wooden Stationery Set(23 of30)
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This 75-piece set has everything a kid needs to create their very own masterpiece.
Age recommendation not stated.
Price: £10.
Buy here.
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Dinosaur Projector(24 of30)
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Any dinosaur fans? This projector shares images of kids' favourite dinosaurs onto walls and ceilings.
Suitable for children aged three to 10.
Price: £9.99.
Buy here.
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Monster Backpack(25 of30)
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An ideal gift for kids to keep their cuddly toys, snacks, drinks and other essential items safe.
Suitable for ages two to five.
Price: £12.98.
Buy here.
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Glow In The Dark Tape(26 of30)
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Stick this tape anywhere to make magical glow-in-the-dark lines when the lights are switched off.
Recommended age not stated.
Price: £8.99.
Buy here.
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2 In 1 World Globe(27 of30)
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As well as having a normal globe, where kids can point out countries and capital cities, this globe also has a night function (doubling up as a night light) showing the earth as seen from space, with colour-changing LEDs.
Suitable for ages eight and above.
Price: £32.99.
Buy here.
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Soothe And Glow Seahorse(28 of30)
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When this seahorse is cuddled, the belly gently glows and plays five minutes of music and ocean sounds. It then gradually fades out.
Suitable from birth.
Price: £14.99.
Buy here.
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VTech Kidizoom Duo Camera(29 of30)
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Give your kids the role of photographer for the day with their own snazzy camera. The back has a digital display so they can see what photos they've taken, a front camera to take selfies, and the ability to add fun effects, stamps and frames.
Suitable for ages three and above.
Price: £39.74.
Buy here.
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Glittery Space Dough(30 of30)
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It's not just any old dough, it's glittery "super space" dough - made from natural ingredients - that comes with a star-shaped cutter (and yes, the sequin stars are included, too).
Suitable for children ages three and above.
Price: £5.95.
Buy here.
(credit:Notonthehighstreet)