Burning incense is a traditional practice that people do at home and in other places. A lighted incense spreads a sweet aroma at home and infuses the atmosphere with fragrance, turning the environment pleasant, comfortable, and enjoyable. Besides, incense is also closely associated with Divine worship in many religions, where people light lamps and incense sticks before the images of Gods and Goddesses as a Sacred offering and pray to the divinities. Thus, incense is closely associated with worship and rituals, especially at home, and has remained a part of them since olden times.

But all said and done, burning incense involves lighting a fire at home, however small. Hence, safety should be paramount here, and incense burning should be done with utmost care and precaution.

Here, let us briefly examine some dos and don’ts that can help people safely use lighted incense sticks at home and enjoy the benefits they provide.

Using an Incense

Dos

-         Please ensure that there are no flammable objects near the spot where you burn incense. Please note that the incense sticks themselves are made of highly ignitable materials; hence, they should be kept away from anything that can easily catch fire. So, clear the area of all combustible items before lighting the incense. These include anything with high petroleum or alcohol content, all types of cloth, and even wooden items.  

-         Always use a holder to burn the incense. The sticks, whether thick or thin, are such that they can easily topple, with the lighted portion touching the base on which the burning incense stands. The chances of such a possibility lighting a fire are high. Hence, it is ideal that incense is placed only on an appropriate holder and then only lighted. The holders should also be stable and not made of wood, but of heat-resistant material. The surface on which the incense holder is placed should also be even and heat-resistant. It is best to avoid using wood or cloth as the holder's base.       

- Please ensure that someone is always there at home when incense remains burning and is in a position to monitor it. In other words, lighted incense should not be left unattended. They should also put it out in case they are leaving home. Burning incense in a house that is locked or devoid of people can be a sure recipe for a fire accident and disaster.

-         The same applies to people going to sleep, leaving incense burning at home; this amounts to relaxing at home after giving rise to the possibility of a fire accident there! Please ensure that the incense is completely extinguished before retiring to bed.          

-         Burn incense only in a ventilated place at home. Keep the doors or windows open and switch on the fan wherever possible. These can prevent smoke from getting concentrated anywhere at home and posing a health hazard to its occupants. Providing such ventilation can also help keep dangerous chemicals emanating from the incense from causing a variety of problems like respiratory issues, nausea, eye irritation, asthma, or allergy attacks.      

-         Please put out the incense wholly and carefully. Please do not blow air to extinguish the fire, like people do in case of flames or candles. An incense can have many embers, and air can only disperse them around, posing a fire risk. The best way to extinguish an incense is to rub the lighted end in sand or dip it in water; that can put out the fire in the incense totally. Check the incense carefully once again to ensure that no fire is left in it at all, before disposing it in the dust bin or waste basket.    

Don'ts

-         Do not use cheap incense sticks, which might often be made of chemicals or materials whose smoke can cause serious health concerns. So, always use only good-quality incense.  

-         Avoid direct inhalation of the smoke from the incense. Also, do not light it in a closed area or confined space. These can help avoid some fitness concerns.  

-         Do not burn incense near children, pregnant women, and pets, considering their safety and fitness.

-         Do not inhale or ingest the ash that remains after burning the incense. Dispose of that also safely, and wash your hands to avoid skin problems. Also, ensure this ash doesn't damage any surface, such as wood or floor.

These tips can help a person handle burning incense safely and sensibly and enjoy its fragrance and the beneficial joy it provides!