incense safety

Burning incense as a form of meditation and relaxation is one of the oldest traditions on earth. As with anything, certain precautions should be taken before embarking on your next spiritual journey. We've compiled a list of safety considerations which you should read before lighting any incense product.

1. Caution should always be used when handling any incense product that has been lit as they do represent a burn or fire hazard.
2. Surfaces surrounding lit incense can become very heated. This includes table tops, your incense burner, the lighter, censers, candle holders etc. and these items represent burn & fire hazards.
3. When an incense product is burning, it is very hot and should not be handled or it could lead to severe burns. (Yeah, this one really is that important)
4. Incense products should never be lit in the presence of flammable fumes. This can lead to "Flash Fires", explosions, property damage, injury and death.
5. Burning incense should never be near "moving items" such as curtains or "blowing fans" as this could result in flammable material catching fire.
6. Incense products and accessories can represent a burn, choking or poison hazard to small children and pets. Always ensure these products are kept out of reach.
7. Cats are curious creatures and have a knack for climbing and balancing across the weirdest places. If you have a cat, use extreme caution when using incense as out of reach may not always apply to a cat.
8. Always use an appropriate incense holder created/designed for the type of incense product you are burning.
9. Always ensure the surface you have placed your holder on is heat & flame resistant. Burners can become very hot and melt the surfaces of plastic casings and varnished wood.
10. Some incense products result in small "embers" and "sparks" which can lead to a fire. It's important that these do not come in contact with your skin, hair, drapes and other flammable material.
11. Never fall asleep when you are burning any incense product.
12. Incense creates smoke and may result in fire alarms or fire sprinklers being set off.
13. Always use incense products in a very well ventilated area.
14. Incense products are designed to be used externally only. Do not make "teas" special "beverages" as they don't taste as good as they smell. Never "directly inhale" any incense product.
15. Some incense formulations may affect the coloration of plastic surfaces, paints or varnishes, so extreme care should be taken when using any incense around keep sakes and valuables.
16. Keep your "incense extinguishing" tools (sand, water, etc.) close by your burning incense in case you need to quickly extinguish your burning incense.
17. Always keep an adequate sized, and fully charged, fire extinguisher available.
18. Extinguishing Incense: If you elect not to allow your burning incense to "Burn itself out", depending upon the type of incense you are burning, and the burner you are using, you can either cover the incense with sand, being careful not to "Splash" the sand down with force which can lead to floating "embers" and "sparks". If appropriate, you may also slowly pour water over the burning incense, however, use extreme caution to ensure your burner is appropriate for water and that your burner does not tip over.
19. Pet Notice: We love our pets, and we know you do as well. So, keep in mind that some members of various bird families may be significantly affected by "smoke" of all types. If you have a bird as an indoor pet, ensure your bird is not exposed to any incense smoke. We recommend keeping your caged bird outside whenever burning incense and ensuring the rooms of the house have been fully ventilated before returning your bird indoors. Some other pets such as dogs, cats, rats, mice, etc., may be adversely affected from incense smoke simply due to allergies. Keep a close eye on your pets to ensure they are not experiencing any type of adverse reaction. If they do experience an adverse reaction to incense burning, extinguish the burning incense, immediately move your pet to a well ventilated area where no "incense fumes" are present, and contact your local veterinarian promptly for further directions.
20. Inhalation Notice: In rare instances, some incense products may adversely affect individuals with allergies and/or breathing disorders. These reactions can be severe and can result in, or aggravate; lung diseases, conditions, illnesses and breathing difficulties. Before using an incense product, you may want to consult your doctor first.