Now that the autumn equinox has happened, and we have officially entered fall, its a perfect time for a reset, not just for your wardrobe and personal life, but also to change up your home's interior decor.
Discover our latest podcast
While some people might see autumn as the best time to enjoy the outdoors, for other's, autumn blues or even the possibility of catching autumn illness are very real. In such cases, making your home cosier by switching up your linens or lighting candles can provide much-needed boost to your mood. But lighting candles inside the home could have an impact on health and safety for some people.
As reported by USA Today, here's what health experts have to say about the risks of lighting candles inside your home in autumn.
Candles and respiratory issues
USA Today quotes Dr. Andrew Stiehm, pulmonologist in St. Paul, Minnesota, who opines that generally, the risks of having respiratory issues due to burning candles are 'probably very much exaggerated by some in the industry.'
The concerns are related to what the candle is made of. Lead wicks in candles can cause lead poisoning or lead toxicity. And while it is now banned in many countries, some places still make them.
Candles could also be made with paints and dyes, which might have carcinogens or cancer-causing chemicals in them. Dr. Stiehm explains,
These are very, very small amounts of chemicals and nothing that has been linked to cancer concerns or any significant studies but it might be someone who's very wary of their cancer risk or perhaps has cancer in remission.
Read more:
⋙ Meditation: The benefits of meditating with a candle
⋙ Study suggests that poor oral health could lead to brain decline
Again, the paraffins that the candles are made of, as well as artificial fragrances, could also sometimes be harmful to health. The doctor further explains,
There is some concern that the paraffins release more formaldehyde than other candles and again, someone out of an abundance of caution may want to avoid high paraffin-containing candles and instead go for more natural ingredients,
People could also be allergic to the fragrances in candles. These are definitely a good reason not to buy the cheapest candles available but buy them from a brand that ensures safe practices when it comes to candle manufacturing.
Other risks associated with burning candles inside
Dr. Taryn Travis, a burn surgeon at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, warns about how common it is for people to suffer burns from candles. He says,
If we're thinking about things around the holidays, a candle near a dry Christmas tree or drapes. Those certainly happen every year.
Accidentally setting fires, and causing serious burn injuries is certainly the biggest threat from candles. The report quotesTravis, from MedStar Washington Hospital Center, who explains why clothing accidentally catching fire from candlesisparticularly serious,
Once your clothes catch fire … the heat gets to your skin very quickly and people can be in a tough spot to get that clothing off, especially older folks or folks with disabilities
Along with this, you should never use aerosolised spray, such as air fresheners around candles since these are highly flammable. Same goes for supplies for manicure such as nail-polish or nail- polish removers. These also catch fire very easily, so never light up a candle while doing your nails, even though it might seem like a cute idea for autumn.
Read more:
⋙ Meditation: The benefits of meditating with a candle
Sources used:
USA Today: 'Calling all candle lovers: Here's how they can impact your health.'
