Simmer Pot Safety & Use Guidelines

Simmer pots are a wonderful way to gently scent your home using natural botanicals. To ensure safe use and protect your household, please follow all instructions and precautions below.

⚠️ IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNINGS

🔥 Heat & Stove Safety

• Never leave a simmer pot unattended while in use.
• Keep the pot on low heat only—boiling can damage ingredients and cookware.
• Check the water level frequently. Add more water as needed to prevent burning, scorching, or fire hazards.
• Do not overfill the pot; leave room to prevent splashing or boiling over.
• Keep the handle turned inward and out of reach of children or pets.
   

🌿 Ingredient Sensitivity

• Some botanicals and essential oils may cause irritation for people with allergies or respiratory sensitivities.
• If you experience headaches, coughing, or discomfort, discontinue use immediately and ventilate the area.
• Avoid direct skin contact with concentrated essential oils or citrus peels—they may cause irritation.
   

🐾 Pet Safety

Many natural ingredients—especially essential oils—can be toxic to pets, even when used aromatically. Use caution if you have cats, dogs, birds, or small animals. This includes oils such as:

• Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, Clove, Cinnamon, Pine, Wintergreen, Oregano, and more.
• Always keep pets in a well-ventilated area away from strong aromatic steam.
• If your pet shows signs of distress (drooling, vomiting, coughing, squinting, lethargy), stop use immediately and consult your veterinarian.
• When in doubt, choose pet-friendly, mild ingredients (like plain herbs without oils) or avoid simmering scents around pets altogether.
• See the "Pet Safety" page for additional information.

⚠️ Pet-Considerate Simmer Pot Blends

The Fragrant Nook's "Pet-Considerate" simmer pot blends use ingredients that are considered "pet-considerate" for cats, dogs, and/or birds when used only for simmering (not for ingestion). Always simmer on low heat, ensure good ventilation, and monitor pets to make sure they are comfortable with the scent. Discontinue use if any pet shows signs of sensitivity.
 

⚗️ Essential Oil Safety

• Do not add undiluted essential oils directly to a simmer pot at high heat; they may aerosolize rapidly and irritate lungs.
• Some oils are flammable; keep them away from open flames.
   

☣️ Mold & Bacteria Prevention

• Always discard used botanicals after your simmer is finished.
• Clean the simmer pot thoroughly after each use to prevent mold, staining, or residue buildup.
   

🍊 Food & Kitchen Safety

• Simmer pot ingredients are not intended for consumption after use.
• Do not reuse simmered ingredients in food or drink recipes.
• Keep simmering liquids and botanicals away from children.
   

🚫 Do Not Use If

• You have severe fragrance or botanical allergies
• You are sensitive to aromatic steam
• You have concerns regarding household pets and essential oils
• You cannot monitor the simmer pot while it is heating
   

Always exercise caution and use at your own risk.