Short answer: wax melts CAN be used safely around pets and children, but you’ve got to treat them like any other heat-based home fragrance product. The biggest risks aren’t usually the fragrance itself - it’s the burner. You know, hot wax and fire and all that jazz.
Below is a straightforward breakdown of what to watch for, plus a few easy “do this and you’ll be fine” rules.
What’s the real risk: the wax melt or the burner?
Most problems come from the setup rather than the wax melt.
- Burners get hot (tea light or electric).
- Hot wax can spill if knocked.
- Curious pets and kids will absolutely investigate anything interesting on a low table.
So the “safety” conversation is mostly: keep the burner out of reach, keep it stable, and use it properly.
To be fair, that's the advice you'd get for most products. Like if you bought a drill they'd probably recommend that you don't give the kids a go on it.
Are wax melts toxic to pets?
This is the one people worry about, especially with cats and dogs.
In normal use - wax in a burner, fragrance dispersing in the air - wax melts are generally used in homes with pets without issues. With that said, pets can be more sensitive than humans and certain fragrance ingredients can be irritating if the room is small with poor airflow.
The bigger concern is if a pet:
- tries to lick/eat wax,
- knocks a burner over and gets hot wax on skin/fur, or
- is stuck in a room with strong fragrance and no ventilation.
If your pet has asthma, breathing issues, or is generally sensitive, keep scents lighter and always give them a way to leave the room.
A very important note if you have birds
This one’s non-negotiable.
If you have birds, do not use fragranced products - including wax melts, candles, diffusers, sprays… any of it.
Obviously you're an adult so the risk is entirely down to you, but birds have an extremely sensitive respiratory system, and airborne fragrance can cause serious harm.
Even products that seem mild or “natural” to us can be dangerous to them.
So if you’ve got parrots, budgies, cockatiels, maybe an ostrich, or any other birds in the house: skip home fragrance entirely. Yep - birds really don’t like wax melts.
Are wax melts safe around babies and children?
With kids, the main risk is exactly the same as a candle: heat and access.
- Burners can cause burns if touched.
- Hot wax can spill if pulled down.
- Tea lights are an open flame (even though the wax melt itself isn’t).
If you’ve got little ones, your best setup is:
- Place burners high up (not on coffee tables or low shelves).
- Use a stable surface where it can’t be tugged.
- Consider an electric burner to avoid an open flame.
- Only use it when an adult is around (no “set it and forget it”).
Tea light vs electric: which is safer?
Generally speaking:
- Electric burners remove the open flame, which most people prefer for homes with children and pets.
- Tea light burners can throw scent very well, but you do have an open flame and a very hot dish of wax.
Neither is “unsafe” if used properly - electric is just easier to manage in a busy house. So it's up to you which wax melt burner you'd prefer to use.
Simple rules for using wax melts safely
- Keep burners out of reach of pets and kids.
- Use on a flat, stable surface where it can’t be knocked.
- Don’t leave tea lights unattended.
- Don’t use oversized, long-burn tea lights.
- Don’t add water (or anything else) to melted wax.
- Ventilate the room if you’re using strong scents.
- If your pet seems bothered (sneezing, leaving the room, acting off), turn it off and air the room out.
So… should you avoid wax melts if you have pets?
Not necessarily. Most pet owners use home fragrance without issues - we have three dogs and one rabbit - you just need a sensible setup and a bit of common sense. Keep it out of reach, don’t overdo it in small rooms, and always make sure pets can leave the room if they want to.
FAQs
Can my dog or cat be in the same room as wax melts?
- Yes, in most normal setups.
- Make sure the room isn’t tiny and stuffy, and your pet can leave if they want.
- If your pet seems irritated, turn it off and ventilate.
What’s the biggest danger with wax melts and kids?
- The burner getting touched (burn risk).
- Hot wax being knocked or pulled down.
Are electric wax burners safer than tea light burners?
- Electric removes the open flame, so many people consider it the safer option.
- Both can be used safely if kept stable, out of reach, and supervised.
What should I do if my pet tries to eat wax?
- Remove access straight away.
- Dispose of the wax and clean the area.
- If they’ve swallowed a meaningful amount or seem unwell, contact your vet for advice.
How can I use wax melts more safely in general?
- Put burners high up and somewhere they can’t be knocked.
- Use lighter scents in smaller rooms.
- Don’t run burners constantly for hours on end.
And if you want to find out more about wax melts you can just head to our hub!
