Safe Scents

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Safety Tips

*First, read labels. In addition to "fragrance," watch out for ethyl alcohol, limonene and camphor, which are irritants. Paradichlorobenzene (also used in moth balls) is a known allergen and probable carcinogen. Avoid aerosol air fresheners that contain butane, isobutane and propane, which are neurotoxic at high levels and easily can be inhaled.

*Because of fire danger, use caution when burning candles, incense and diffusers, containers that disperse scent through heating oil over a flame or in a ring around a lamp. Keep away from children and don't leave these unattended; extinguish well before bedtime. Use a heat-resistant base to contain wax drippings or incense ash. Never burn incense inside cupboards or closets.

*To avoid excessive soot, trim candle wicks to 1/4 inch before each burning. Retire candle when it burns so low that it sputters, releasing more smoke.

*Take care even with essential oils, as any strong scent can exacerbate allergies or asthma. Essential oils are flammable, highly concentrated and should not be used undiluted on the skin or taken internally.

A few sweet-smelling options you can breathe easy about:

Natural palm wax candles from EcoDaySpa are paraffin-free, made with pure essential oils and burn longer than soy wax (starting at $9.99; www.ecodayspa.com, 626-969-3707).

Greenridge Herbals' aromatherapy soy candles contain no synthetic fragrances or colors, and feature lead-free cotton wicks (starting at $8; www.greenridgeherbals.com, 866-250-HERB).

Vermont Soy Candles use only essential oils (starting at $6.99; www.vermontsoycandles.com, 888-727-1903).

Aroma Naturals offers essential oil aromatic room mists in such scents as orange-lemongrass and bergamot-lime ($14; www.aromanaturals.com, 800-462-7662).

A non-flammable terracotta diffuser ring by Greenfeet fits on a light bulb. Drop essential oil onto the ring and the heat of the bulb releases the aroma ($2.95; www.greenfeet.com, 888-562-8873).

Molly's Herbals sells pure essential oils like tea tree, eucalyptus and peppermint (starting at $4.95/15 ml.; www.fiascofarm.com/herbs).

Provence Potpourri from The Scented Room is handmade with 18 varieties of organic flowers and essential oils ($7.95/2 cups; www.scentedroom.com, 208-342-8504).

Lavender Green sells organic dried lavender buds, a nice base for potpourris (starting at $12/cup; www.lavendergreen.com, 703-684-4433).

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