Wax melts are designed to be a safer alternative to burning candles, but sensible questions about children, pets and safety come up often. This page gives honest, balanced answers so you can use wax melts with confidence. Written by Alexandra Watson of Wickfree Candles, Independent Scentsy Consultant since April 2011.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are wax melts safe to use around children?

Wax melts are designed to be safer than a burning candle because there is no flame, no smoke and no soot, and the wax stays too cool to scald on contact. As with any home fragrance product, keep warmers on a stable surface out of reach of young children, and never let a child handle warm or melted wax. See also our Scentsy Buddies FAQs for questions about scented soft toys and young children.

Are wax melts safe for dogs?

Scentsy wax melts are non-toxic and are not designed to cause harm to dogs through normal household use, since there is no flame and the warmed wax does not reach a burning temperature. Dogs can still be more sensitive to strong or concentrated scents than humans, so keep warmers out of reach and watch for any signs of irritation, adjusting use if your dog seems bothered by a particular fragrance.

Are wax melts safe for cats?

Cats tend to be more sensitive to strong fragrances than dogs, and some can find certain scents irritating. Scentsy wax melts do not produce smoke or soot, which removes one common concern with burning candles, but if your cat shows any signs of discomfort around a fragrance, such as avoiding the room or sneezing, switch it out and consult your vet if it continues.

Are wax melts safe for birds?

Birds have highly sensitive respiratory systems and are generally more vulnerable to airborne particles and fragrance than other pets. Several vets and bird owners recommend caution with any scented product, including wax melts, around birds. If you keep birds, the safest approach is to warm wax in a different, well-ventilated room away from the birds, or avoid it in rooms where they are kept.

Is Scentsy wax toxic if a pet or child licks or eats it?

Scentsy Wax Melts are BPA-, gluten-, lead-, egg- and formaldehyde-free, and are not designed to be harmful if a small amount is licked. That said, wax melts are made for warming, not eating, and are not intended for ingestion. If a child or pet swallows a significant amount of wax, contact your doctor or vet for advice as a precaution.

Can you leave a wax warmer on overnight or unattended?

Yes, a Scentsy warmer can be left on for as long as you like, since there is no flame and no fire risk, similar to leaving a lamp switched on. As with any electrical appliance, it is still sensible to switch it off when you leave the house for an extended period. See our electric wax warmer FAQs for more on running warmers safely.

Do wax melts produce smoke, soot or harmful fumes?

No, because the wax is warmed rather than burned, there is no flame, no smoke and no soot released into the room. This is one of the main safety advantages of wax melts over traditional wick candles, which do release soot and combustion by-products as they burn.

Are Scentsy wax melts free from BPA, phthalates and other harmful chemicals?

Scentsy Wax Melts are BPA-, gluten-, lead-, egg- and formaldehyde-free. A small proportion of fragrances contain very low, tested levels of diethyl phthalate, a common fragrance ingredient regarded as safe by bodies including the US Environmental Protection Agency and the EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Products, and Scentsy follows International Fragrance Association safety standards throughout.

What should I do if my pet has been near a wax melt and seems unwell?

Stop using the fragrance immediately and move your pet to fresh air. If your pet shows ongoing signs of irritation, such as drooling, vomiting, lethargy or breathing difficulty, contact your vet for advice, taking a note of which fragrance was in use. Reactions like this are uncommon, but it is always right to prioritise your pet’s health over any single scent.

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