General Essential Oil Safety
- Keep essential oils out of reach of children and pets.
- Do not use photosensitive essential oils prior to going out in the sun or using a tanning booth as they can react to sunlight and cause something similar to a severe sunburn.
- Avoid prolonged use of the same esesntial oils.
- Be sure to research essential oils prior to using them.
- Do not use undiluted essential oils on the skin.
- Prior to applying an oil topically, try a patch test on a small portion of skin in case there is a reaction.
- Be aware of the safety data and specific warnings on any oils before using them.
- Use extreme care when utilizing essential oils during pregnancy as they can affect hormones, gut bacteria and other aspects of your health. There is also evidence that essential oils can cross through the placenta and be transferred to your baby.
- Keep essential oils away from your eyes. If oil does get in your eye, do not flush it out with water. You can dilute the area immediately with vegetable or carrier oil by placing the vegetable oil on a tissue and gently wiping the eye area. Repeat as necessary.
- Keep essential oils away from direct contact with flames, such as candles, fire, matches, cigarettes and gas cookers.
Whenever you use essential oils in any form, be sure you are located somewhere with good ventiliation. - Do not use essential oils internally unless properly trained. If accidentally swallowed, call the Poison Control Center immediately and do not induce vomiting.
Please visit The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy for more detailed safety information.
Pet Safety Precautions
As caregivers of our furry friends, it is important to take their needs into consideration when introducing new things into their environment as it is not just your home, but theirs as well.
Some plants are poisonous to dogs and cats and when distilled and, converted into essential oil, they become more potent. Always check with your pet’s veterinarian before introducing essential oils into your home.
Just like humans, every animal reacts differently to a stimulus depending on their biological makeup. It is important to monitor your animal’s behavior and let your vet know if you observe any behavioral or health changes.
When diffusing a new essential oil, choose one room and make sure your pet can escape the smell and retreat to an area with fresh air. Animals are intelligent and will not stay in a room with a fragrance they do not like.
Doctors and veterinarians alike stress the importance of moderation in any situation. Start off with only a few drops of oil in a diffuser before using the maximum recommended drops for your specific diffuser.
Store essential oils and diffusers out of reach from pets and children. When in use, place your diffuser out of reach as well.
For a comprehensive list of toxic plants to dogs and cats, please visit ASPCA’s website.