Free incense and smudge-stick safety checklist

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Updated November 1, 2026

White sage growing in the wild — Photo: John Rusk from Berkeley, CA, United States of America, CC BY 2.0

A printable checklist for burning palo santo, sage or incense more safely at home.

Before you light

Use a fireproof dish or bowl, such as ceramic, stone or an abalone shell with sand.
Keep it away from curtains, paper, pets and children.
Open a window for ventilation; smoke from burning plant material irritates lungs, especially for people with asthma.

While burning

Never leave a burning stick unattended.
Let the flame burn for a few seconds, then blow it out and let it smolder.
Do not burn near a smoke alarm or oxygen equipment.

After

Press the tip into sand or the dish until fully out, and check it is cold before you walk away.
Buy from sellers who state where the wood or plant came from; palo santo should come from fallen wood and white sage is over-harvested in the wild.

This checklist is general information, built from the sources below. It is not professional advice for your situation.

Sources