The Candle Question

[rosebunting]

Hello all,

I was wondering if you could help provide me some guidance and hopefully settle a little dispute that I am currently (unwillingly) in the middle of.

The main question is: are there any safe ways to burn candles in the same home as a budgie? My mom really likes to burn candles and it is a great stress relief for her, but unfortunately it causes a lot of stress for my dad and me because we worry about Arthur inhaling the fumes, even if it's in a different room in the house. I'm trying to find the best compromise for everyone, and my best idea so far is to buy some of those parrot safe candles for my mom, plus a portable air purifier to ensure that the air is further cleaned before it could reach Arthur.

She is okay with unscented candles and has been lighting them in the bedroom with the windows open, but there is only one door closed between him and her (his cage is in the living room, hers is down at the other end of the hall). My dad feels like he can smell the candle when he walks in the house from outside, but I haven't been able to test this myself yet. We put a hold on all candle activities for now, and personally I would prefer no candles being burned in the house, but I want to try and reach a compromise if there is one feasible. Does anyone have any thoughts on my idea or just additional insight?

[tweetiepiesmom]

One of the renowned vets in the US (Tom Tully) says some candles are OK - beeswax with no lead in the wick. He also says lightly scented with natural oils are OK. Personally, I don't use any candles. How does your mother like the artificial battery operated candles with the flickering flame?

[Hezz]

As TPM has said, there are candles that are safe to burn around birds, there are some specifically made for this purpose, as I recall. I don’t know the individual brands, but have a gut feeling that they were US-based. Whether they are still around or a Covid casualty, I don’t know. You may have to do some more internet stalking to find the answer.

[rosebunting]

tweetiepiesmom Unfortunately, it is not as relaxing for her. Right now she is using a salt lamp until we figure out if there's any candles we can use.

Hezz I have seen those by the Parrot Safe Candle Company, those are soy candles though. Has anyone here ever tried them? The fact that they have scents makes me a little nervous.

I think initially we'll get some pure beeswax candles, not sure how she will light them though. Does anyone have any suggestions? Matches produce a lot of smoke and sulfur smell, but lighters contain chemicals, so I'm not sure what the best option is

[tweetiepiesmom]

I do use lighters. The smell is slight (in my humble opinion). Occasionally the burners on my stove don't light properly and I use the lighter to get it going. Its only a few feet from my budgies cage and they've never reacted to it. I hardly ever noticed the smell. I use the long ones that would be used to light a fireplace or barbecue not the small ones people use to light cigarettes.

[spanky]

you could get a plasma lighter. I have one.

[rosebunting]

Good to know! I'll look into the plasma lighter and if all else fails, we can go with the regular lighter