Incense is a popular way to add fragrance to your home, but it's important to use it safely.
Here are the dos and don'ts of burning incense in your home. By following these guidelines, you can enjoy the benefits of incense while avoiding potential hazards.
Incense can make your home smell wonderful and create a relaxing atmosphere. By following these simple tips, you can enjoy the benefits of incense without any risk.
Make sure you read our article on the dos and don'ts of burning incense before using it in your home!
Don't Burn Incense on Improper Surfaces
Never burn incense on flammable surfaces such as wood or fabric. Doing so could result in a fire. Incense should always be burned on a heat-resistant surface.
Use an Incense Holder
Be especially careful with incense sticks, as they can easily topple over and start a fire. It's good to use an incense holder or stand to keep them upright.
There are a few different types of incense stick holders that can be considered unsafe. The most common type is the mica plate, which is often used to hold burning charcoal cylinders. These types of holders can get quite hot and cause burns if mishandled.
Wooden holders can also be dangerous if they are not made from heat-resistant wood or treated properly to resist fire.
When shopping for an incense holder, look for one made of heat-resistant materials. Holders made from crystal, metal, or ceramic usually don't get as hot and are safer to use. Always use caution when handling any type of incense stick holder.
Keep Your Incense Away from Flammable Objects
Incense sticks are made of highly flammable materials, so it's important to take precautions when burning them. Never leave burning incense unattended, and make sure to keep it away from any flammable objects.
Always make sure the area around you is clear of any flammable objects before you decide to light incense. This includes things like a curtain, towels, clothes, etc.
Avoid buring around alcohol, hairspray, aerosols, and anything else with a high-alcohol or petroleum content. These objects will create dangerous fumes when burned and can potentially cause a fire.
Never Leave Incense Unattended
Incense should continually be monitored while burning. If you leave the room, make sure to put out the incense first. Failure to do so could result in a fire.
Even if the incense is placed in a holder, it could land on something flammable and start a fire if it tips over or falls out. If you're going to burn incense, make sure you stay nearby and keep an eye on it. It's better to be safe than sorry!
Never Burn Incense When You Are Sleeping
Burning incense in your bedroom while you sleep is a bad idea. If you do so, make sure the incense is extinguished before you go to bed.
As mentioned earlier, incense sticks are made of highly flammable materials. If one were to tip over in the night, it could easily start a fire. The last thing you want is to be asleep when your home is burning down!
Breathing in the smoke from burning incense can also be harmful to your health. Burning incense in your bedroom while you sleep can expose you to harmful chemicals and increase your risk of respiratory problems.
If you enjoy the smell of burning incense, try burning it in your living room or another well-ventilated area instead. You can also use an oil diffuser to enjoy the scent of incense without having to light it.
Be Careful When Extinguishing Incense
When you finish burning incense, make sure to extinguish it properly. Doing so will prevent the embers from falling on flammable surfaces and starting a fire.
You may wish to avoid blowing it out like a candle. Incense sticks have far more embers than a candle, and blowing them out can disperse these burning embers.
Extinguishing incense is simple: place the burning end in a bowl of sand or water. The embers will quickly go out on their own. You can put out incense cones in the same way.
Check Before You Toss It in the Bin
Just because incense is extinguished doesn't mean it's safe to toss in the trash. The embers could still be burning and start a fire.
Once you're sure the incense is fully extinguished, you can dispose of it in the trash. Don't forget to check the holder as well! If it's made of flammable materials, make sure it's cooled down before tossing it in the bin.
Only Burn Incense in a Well-Ventilated Area
If you decide to burn incense in your home, make sure you do so in a well-ventilated area. Burning incense in a poorly ventilated room can cause the concentration of smoke to build up, which can be a health hazard.
The smoke from burning incense contains a variety of hazardous chemicals, including benzene, toluene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). These chemicals can cause respiratory problems, eye irritation, and nausea.
Opening a window or turning on a fan can help disperse the smoke and reduce your exposure to hazardous chemicals. Another way to improve your indoor air is to use an air purifier.
Avoid Allergies and Asthma Attacks
If you have asthma, burning incense can trigger an attack. If you experience shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, stop burning incense and leave the room immediately.
Burning incense can also cause allergies. If you experience any symptoms such as sneezing, itchy eyes, or a runny nose, stop burning incense and leave the room immediately.
Do Not Inhale Incense Smoke Directly
Inhaling incense smoke directly can be harmful to your health. The smoke from incense sticks contains chemicals that can damage your lungs.
If you choose to burn incense, make sure you do so in a well-ventilated area. Never burn incense in a confined space.
Do Not Burn Incense If You Are Pregnant
There is no definitive evidence that burning incense while pregnant is harmful, but it is best to avoid it as a precaution. During these critical months, it is best to avoid burning incense altogether.
Don't Burn Incense Around Pets or Children
Pets and children create a greater risk of fire or injuries when burning incense is present. Little hands and curious paws can easily knock over a burning stick and start a fire.
Pets
Many pets have far more sensitive noses than we do. When we burn incense, the smoke can be far more irritating and even harmful to our furry friends. If you must burn incense, do so when your pets are not present in the room.
Children
Children are curious by nature and may want to touch or play with burning incense. This can be extremely dangerous, as incense sticks are made of highly flammable materials.
Even a well-intentioned, careful child can accidentally burn themselves or start a fire when burning incense is present. Children should never be left unattended around burning incense. If you have children in your home, it’s best to avoid burning incense altogether.
Never Put Incense Sticks In Your Mouth
Incense sticks are made of burning materials and chemicals. Putting them in your mouth is extremely dangerous and can cause burns or chemical poisoning.
Be Aware of Ash
Incense ash can be harmful if inhaled or ingested. Wash your hands after handling incense ash, as it can be irritating to the skin.
If burning incense outdoors, be aware of the wind direction. If burning incense on a windy day, the ash can be blown into your face or eyes.
Incense ash can cause damage to surfaces such as wood, furniture, or floors. Ashes and smoke can cause discolouration on some surfaces.
Only Use High-Quality Incense
Be wary of the chemicals in cheaper incense sticks. Cheap incense is often made of lower-quality materials that can produce harmful smoke when burned.
When burning incense, only use high-quality sticks. Look for sticks with a low-smoke burn so that you can enjoy the scent without worrying about the smoke.
High-quality incense sticks are made of natural materials such as wood, bamboo, and spices. These materials are less likely to produce harmful smoke when burned.
Common Mistakes When Burning Incense
There are a few common mistakes that people make when using incense sticks. One of the most common is holding the incense stick too close to the burner. This can cause the incense stick to catch fire and may result in burns.
Another common mistake is putting too much pressure on the incense stick when lighting it. This can cause the tip of the incense stick to break off and can be dangerous.
Lastly, people often forget to extinguish their incense sticks after use which can be a fire hazard. Always make sure to extinguish your incense sticks properly after use by bending the stick until it snaps in half or by plainly blowing it out. Forgetting to do so could start a fire and leave hot embers that could cause burns.
Burning Incense Safely
Incense is a beautiful way to create an inviting atmosphere in your home, but it’s important to remember to use it safely.
By following the do’s and don’ts we’ve outlined in this post, you can enjoy the benefits of incense without putting yourself or your family at risk.
Our high-quality incense sticks are the perfect way to enjoy the benefits of burning incense. Order your own Satya Sage Incense Sticks today!