Magnifying mirrors and other curved glass surfaces, including bowls, as well as cut glass, such as prisms, may not be the greatest fire risks in the home but they are significant hazards.
On New Year's Day, Mosgiel resident Vicki Clinch was shocked to discover that a portable magnifying mirror, left standing on the kitchen table, had burned a 9cm-long mark along the back of a chair and could have started a much bigger fire at her Doon St house.
"I feel stupid that something so simple could have the potential to cause massive damage.
"We're lucky the house didn't burn down," Mrs Clinch said.
Lying in bed on the morning of her 43rd birthday, she had initially noticed a strong smell of burning about 9.30am and concluded that neighbours were burning rubbish, also noting that the kitchen window was partly open.
It was not until much later that day, at 10pm, that the burn mark was discovered.
She rang the Fire Service yesterday morning and discussed the issue.
Southern Fire Region Fire Safety Officer Barry Gibson praised Mrs Clinch for also contacting the Otago Daily Times to raise awareness about the risk of fires arising from magnifying mirrors.
The Clinch family had been "very lucky" that "quite severe" consequences had not resulted from the burn.
Curved glass surfaces, such as magnifying mirrors, as well as glass bowls and cut glass items such as prisms should be kept away from the sun, to prevent low-angle sun rays being concentrated on combustible items.
If burning was detected or suspected, the Fire Service should be contacted, he said.
Dunedin barber Selwyn Grave also reported a near miss in early July, when low sun reflected from a shaving mirror and caused a fire in the bathroom at his home.
