How to make this flame resistant?

Question

Hi! I'm stage manager for my school's production of A Christmas Carol. It is nearly impossible to find old looking tiny lanterns around here, but luckily my mom had some electrical ones. We took out the lightbulb and cut the wire specifically to make handles. We also took out the plastic, because it melts very easily.

Unfortuneatly, once we superglued the tealights to the base of the lanterns and lit one up, we realized that the metal heats up VERY VERY QUICKLY. I cannot have anyone get burned and these are the only lanterns that I have to work with.

Anyone know of a flame retardant spray or flame retardant paint that may work to keep the metal from heating up? Or any other ideas?

Thanks!

Answer 1

There's no spray to keep the metal from heating, at least no economical and environmentally friendly spray that would also allow the lantern to still look like a lantern instead of a foam-covered mess.

Instead of tea lights, high-tail it over to Michaels or some other craft shop. There are battery-operated flickering tea lights available now that should do the trick for you. Of course, the batteries will have to be replaced for every show, but that's a much smaller price to pay than burning down your theater or causing your actors to get blisters.

Answer 2

There are high-heat spray paints available, but they aren't going to do one thing to reduce the temperature of metal being heated by a flame. Not a thing. Also, flame retardants don't make things cooler, they make them less flammable---or so they say. I was in charge of prom decorations for my school, and there are several substances that go up like torches no matter what you spray or brush onto them to "retard flames". I had to take out some things that just couldn't pass the fire inspection.

You were seriously better off with the light bulbs. If you can't put them back in, do without lanterns. Listen to the second answerer, this scenario has "Disaster" written all over it. If just one kid throws his lantern down in the wrong spot because it got too hot to hold anymore, you could all learn more than you ever wanted to know about the burn ward in your local hospital. It's just not worth it.

Answer 3

Woa! As a professional stage manager, I'm scared. Very scared.

I suspect you didn't like the bulbs because they didn't look like flames, and tea candles seemed like a logical bet.

You should avoid live fire on stage at all costs, as it can be unpredictable and dangerous. Plus, there are the costs of making the costumes and any set pieces that are near the flame fire-retardant. Plus the costs of extra fire extinguishers, and the bucket of sand. Oh, and having the fire marshal inspect the set and observe how you handle the fire. This is required by law.

Your best bet is to buy electric lanterns and replace the bulb with "flicker bulbs" that make the light dance within the bulb. You can cover the bulb with a gel, to give it a more warm tone. You then use a frosted glass to further help hide that it's a light bulb.

Have a good production.

Answer 4

I don't know of any, You could try attaching them to a wooden handle or base that would stay cool.