please, please, please keep yourself and those around you safe by following the safety precautions set by the wood burning tool manufacturer. Below is what I do on top of the manufacturee’s precautions:
below are affiliate links to products I actually use and love! you can also visit my safety section on amazon for more items to stay safe while burning.
here is what I make sure to do for safety:
burn in a well ventilated area
switch on my winix air purifier that cleans the air in the entire room. it has a carbon filter and a heap filter. seriously, this thing works really well!! my house smells like it has all the windows open!
switch on my small air purifier (with carbon filter) that I place near me to suck the smoke directly away from my face. (here is a great smaller portable one). you can also use any regular cheap fan, especially if you are using the large air purifier. turn your fan backwards near your pen/tool in order for the smoke to be sucked away. pointing it at your pen will cool it down and won’t allow you to burn efficiently.
always wear a proper mask (rated p95 or higher). my favorite company is rzmask! not only are their masks super comfy, but the have changeable carbon filters so they are better for the environment.
another thing to keep note of is how you position your body and head when you burn. are you one of those people who like to get real close with they face to see what you’re burning? the best case scenario is to tilt the wood slice towards you and have your face further away, not right above the rising smoke.
my community pyrography hub is woodburncorner.com —> grab your free safety guide here for even more tips and tricks to reduce accidents and stay safe while burning.
did you know…
the materials you are burning on emit different toxins depending on what they are made of. some are more toxic than others. so for instance, burning on raw wood can be safe (with the proper gear) but not all raw wood emits the same toxins. there are wood species that are very dangerous for your health, even if you use all the safety precautions and Click here for a list of woods that are ideal for pyrography!
always research your materials to understand what toxic chemicals may be present and whether those chemicals are released when heat is applied.
common wood types you should never burn on:
driftwood: burning salt-saturated driftwood is a bad idea as it can release toxic or harmful chemicals when burned, according to the EPA.
green wood: this type of wood isn’t a species, it is the state of the wood. meaning it’s not completely dry. once a tree is cut down, it needs to be seasoned for 6 to 9 months to become completely dry. burning on this will create a lot of smoke and will take much longer, the process will be even slower than regular pyrography.
wet, rotted, diseased, or moldy wood
plywood, particle board, chipboard, wood pallets or any wood with glue on or in it: do not burn on anything man-made. this includes wood that has been stained, sealed or treated with any kind of glues or oils (even if they are natural oils). if you mix your media (like I do with water marbling) make sure to wood burn first and then add other mediums.
craft store wood: many stores sell wood for crafting with but the majority of the time those wood slices are intended to be embellished with paint, chalk or other mediums and are not meant for pyrography!
wood with with "poison" in the name: burning poison ivy, poison sumac, poison oak, or pretty much anything else with the word "poison" in it’s name releases the irritant oil urushiol into the smoke. breathing it in can cause lung irritation and severe allergic respiratory problems, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
the yew tree (Taxus baccata) and a related species common to gardeners, Japanese yew (Taxus cuspidata) is known to be one of the most poisonous woody plants in the world, with all components of the tree, excepting the fleshy red part of the berry containing lethal amounts of taxine, a toxic alkaloid found in the yew.
oleander shrubs: these thrive in frost-free climates and every part of it is toxic. Definitely don’t burn it in any way - don’t even use a branch to toast your marshmallow on.
mexican pepper: also known as Brazilian pepper wood, it is similar to poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac, the leaves and bark contain urushiol, a toxic oil that causes serious rashes and allergic reactions.
in short. if you feel any dizziness or headaches coming on while burning, stop and assess your situation. do some research. reach out to me or ask another pyro professional!
always check what you are burning on before you burn. I like to use the wood-database.com for a quick look up and do a little more research if I don’t get enough Information from there.
When in doubt, choose a wood species from this list of best wood for pyrography to ensure you are safe and burning on wood that works great with pyrography.
happy and safe burning my friends!
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