Top 5 Hazards of Kerosene Heaters

11/20/2020 (Permalink)

If you are one of the many homes and businesses around Monroe and Pike County that use a kerosene heater, you should take precautions against a number of serious hazards.

Here are the Top 5

1) Fire Fire could be caused by operating the heater too close to furniture, draperies or other combustibles, by knocking over a lighted heater, or by accidentally igniting fuel when filling the tank.

2) Explosions Explosions could be caused by use of the wrong kind of fuel, or by operating the heater in an area where there are combustible fumes.

3) Burns Burns could be caused by direct contact with a heater, or by ignition of combustible clothing. Children especially should be kept at a safe distance from operating heaters. Even pets could be injured.

4) Asphyxiation Kerosene heaters consume oxygen as they burn. If they are operated in a small room or in an inadequately ventilated area, oxygen in the air could be reduced to a dangerous level. Reduced oxygen supply could lead to incomplete combustion of fuel and the production of carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas which in sufficient concentrations, or if breathed over a period of time, can kill without warning.

5) Indoor air pollution In addition to carbon monoxide, kerosene heaters can emit such pollutants as carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide. Breathing these substances can create a risk, especially to such people as pregnant women, asthmatics, individuals with cardiovascular disease, elderly persons and young children.

Source: iii