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OK, this may sound like a silly question, but I'll ask it anyway.

We bought 2 battery lanterns (with bulbs) from Wilkos earlier in the year and they were hopeless. Terrrible design on the switch meant they could be (and were) left on. And thats after a dozen goes and getting them to work properly in the first place.

So we then treated ourselves to 2 wind up LED lanterns. Not cheapy ones, but not the £35 ones, just a happy medium. They are nice and compact, but the light output is terrible. Resting them on the table to play card, ie upclose, its barely worth having them.

So we need a new light source. Flourescent U lamps lanterns looks like the best option, but we wanted to leave them in the camper and not have to bother with batteries. So my thoughts turned to the Uco candle lamps. They appeal to me as they are a bit retro with a modern twist. And a proper candle light will be perfect.

The only problem is that we have 3 small children (under 8) and my wife hates the idea of a flame or the chance of hot wax being around.

So are her fears real? I would assume the top of the lantern gets wam, possibly hot-ish, but do they get scalding hot? And do they actually drip wax, or am I right in thinking that the wax burns off?

Not sure we can afford two, so looks like we may have to rely on the wind up LED lamps for a bit of ambient light and then use the Uco for where we need the light.

Should probably mention we have a Folding Camper with EHU, but we like to spend evenings in or around the awning without plug in lights. And there is something very 'camping' about having a lit lantern.

So any comments on the Uco, or even recomendations of others? As we are now looking at buying our third light source then we are really not prepaired to spend too much. Unless its a worthwhile spend.