When you think of candles and wood-burning stoves, the first word that will likely come to mind for many is relaxation.
And while it's undeniable that they offer a sense of calm, a popular TV doctor has shed some light on the risks that the everyday items could pose - including lung cancer - if you aren't careful.
Dr Amir Khan, who appears on ITV's Lorraine and is known for sharing informative tips on his Twitter, recently lifted the lid on the dangers of indoor air pollution.
As reported by the Mirror, the doctor explained: "When we normally think of air pollution, we think of outside - cars, planes, emissions - that kind of thing.
"But there are common household items that can pollute the inside of our homes. Poor indoor air quality has been linked to lung disease, heart disease and even strokes. So, let’s look at some examples."
First on the list are wood-burning stoves, which can throw particles such as dirt, soot, dust or smoke into the air.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that these small particles can be "dangerous" as they can get into the deep parts of your lungs or blood.
"These tiny particles when breathed in can damage our lungs and increase our risk of lung cancer in the long term," Dr Khan said.
The health expert then warned over scented candles and incense sticks which were singled out as they also give off tiny particles of other pollutants when they burn.
Dr Khan said: "Incense sticks, in particular, give off more than 100 times more fine particles than a scented candle. So, it’s a good idea to light these in well-aired large spaces."
Following that, Amir said that one of the most dangerous pollutants in a home are often cleaning products.
Dr Khan said: "Cleaning products, like furniture polish, air freshener, carpet cleaner, oven cleaner, as well as aerosols, like deodorant and hairspray, contain something called volatile organic compounds or VOCs.
"Which, when breathed in, can irritate our airways, cause nausea and damage our nerves and other organs."
The expert concluded: "I know it’s impossible to avoid all of these things in our homes but by minimising their use, having lots of indoor plants, and opening windows, allowing for good ventilation, you can improve your indoor air quality."
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