No, Yankee candles are not safe for birds. Being one of the popular brands of scented candles, Yankee Candles are dangerous for birds. When the candles are burned the fumes released cause respiratory problems to the birds due to the presence of harmful chemicals. Moreover, if the candle is lit in an enclosed space, then it can cause suffocation for the birds as they get overwhelmed by the fumes.
So, let’s get to the details and understand the threat that these Yankee candles possess for the birds. We will also discuss the methods that would keep the birds safe.
What are Yankee Candles?
Yankee Candle is a very famous brand of scented candles and they are known for their long-lasting and wide range of fragrances. They are also popular for their long burn time. The Yankee Candle was made by Michael J Kittredge and he founded the company in 1969. It gained fame for its high-quality candles where no chemicals are used but only natural wax and essential oils. These candles have a scent of wide variety and can be used for relaxation, home fragrance, or gifting purposes.
What are Yankee Candles Made of?
Yankee candles are made of certain core ingredients – beeswax, paraffin wax, and stearic acid. These are safe for the birds, as paraffin is made from petroleum, beeswax comes from bees and stearic acid is a type of fatty acid.
However, when you burn the candle, it becomes dangerous for the birds. The fumes released affect the respiratory system and moreover, if the bird comes too close to the hot wax, it will injure the bird.
Moreover, if there is an open flame, then the bird can approach out of curiosity and that would burn their feathers. Thus, candles are bad for birds and prove to be deadly.
What do Yankee Candle Manufacturers do to Make it Scented?
The manufacturers of Yankee candles do not use synthetic fragrances, rather they use essential oils to make the candles scented. They do not use any harmful chemicals and every ingredient used comes through natural and organic processes.
How to Keep the Bird Safe When You Are Burning a Candle?
When you are burning a candle, your first priority should be how to keep the bird safe. So, here are the steps that you need to follow:
Keep the Candle Far from Reach
When the candle is burning you must keep it away from the bird. Note that the bird should not be able to reach the candle, as if it is tempted and might start investigating around the candle then the bird can get injured.
Keep an Eye on Burning Candle
If the bird and the burning candle are in the same room, then keep an eye on the bird, and note whether the fumes are causing any kind of irritation to the bird. Do not give the bird an opportunity to get close to the candle.
Never Leave the Candle Unattended
It is your duty to never leave the room with an unattended burning candle, always blow it out first to ensure the complete safety of the bird. If you are going to bed, then do not leave any candles burning, blowing out even a single of them as due to a smoldering candle can initiate a fire hazard.
Find a Well-Ventilated Space
Try to light the candle in a well-ventilated space, as birds are sensitive to strong scents and fumes, otherwise, it can lead to breathing issues and life-threatening risks for the bird.
What Should You Do if a Bird Gets Injured by Burning a Candle?
You must immediately take the bird to the vet and provide medical attention if it gets injured by a burning candle. Birds have delicate feathers and skin and even going close to the flame can cause small burns or even serious injury. But, before taking it to the vet, you must provide first aid.
Gently clean the burn area and apply antibiotic ointment. If the bird is having difficulty breathing, then take it to an open or well-ventilated space and try to keep all the airways open. You can also try to hold the beak open and blow gently into the nostrils. Next, immediately rush to the vet, otherwise, there is a high chance of infection spreading.
What Scents Can Be Safely Used in Front of Birds?
The essential oils that can be used in front of birds or are considerably safe are – Lavender, Peppermint, Tea tree, Geranium, and Chamomile.
How to Make the House Smell Good Even with Birds?
While keeping the birds, if you want to make your house smell good, then here are a few tactics that you can apply:
- You can use unscented candles or essential oil diffusers.
- Keep the bird’s cage in a well-ventilated space.
- Keep a bowl of potpourri or any scented wax in places where the bird cannot reach them.
- Use natural room freshener which either has vanilla extract or lemon.
- If the place is well-ventilated, you can burn an incense stick that is light on fragrance.
- Use air fresheners sparingly or scented cleaning products in well-ventilated areas.
What are the Alternatives You can Use for Candles?
Instead of using candles, you can use these alternatives to keep your feathery pet safe. Moreover, these replacements are not quite expensive.
Use LED Flameless Candles
These flameless candles would give warmth similar to the traditional ones but it would be without any flame and hazard. These candles are battery-powered and you can control them through features like timers and remote controls.
Battery Operated Tea Light
Tea lights are a variant of Led flameless candles. They are also battery operated but have compact gems fit. Thus, you can maintain safety while using them and also keep the birds safe.
Electric Diffuser
You can use a diffuser with essential oils, but only ensure that the essential oils that you are choosing are bird-safe and try to diffuse in small quantities.
Solar Powered Lanterns
You can also go for solar-powered lanterns which are eco-friendly and a safe choice for bird owners. You can charge them during the day and in the evening they light up, levitating the ambiance and not disturbing the birds.
Which Candles are not Pet Friendly?
Candles that have petroleum-based paraffin wax in their ingredient are considered to be not safe for pets as when burned, they release toxic fumes. Also, some scented candles release fragrances and dyes that can become harmful when inhaled or ingested.
