Safety tips for Indoor Kerosene Heater

Posted by Tom Allen on December 28th, 2019

Kerosene heaters are the multipurpose devices that use to keep the house warm. Regardless of the traditional types of heaters, these heaters can be used for different purposes. Apart from homes, you can use these kerosene heaters for heating your large spaces such as a garage, outdoor areas or warehouses.

Hence, these portable heaters don’t need any electricity supply so these devices can be suitable for the areas where power is quite hard to come and by. Moreover, this could be an ideal temporary or permanent solution for this type of situation. However, these kerosene heaters can perform amazingly by providing temporary heat during a power shortage. Additionally, these portable heaters keep your cool place warm without putting an extra load of heating the entire home. Most importantly, make sure to concern the local fire department before buying kerosene heaters as most areas prohibited the use of kerosene heaters and considered them as illegal.

Although due to the size and features, this device is quite fascinating it requires precautionary safety measures while using them. Since the latest kerosene heater models are manufactured with different safety features but still you can face numerous operator errors. These operator errors include the use of gasoline instead of kerosene, spilling of fuel, failure to provide ample space for ventilation, suffocation or harmful burnt kerosene odor. The dangerous result of these operating errors can lead to homes on fire.

High risk and danger that can be caused by the kerosene heater include:

Fire or Explosion: Fire can be caused by operating the heaters way to close to furniture or any other combustibles, it can also be caused by knocking the lighter heater or accidentally igniting the fuel when filling up the kerosene tank. However, the explosion can be caused due to the usage of the wrong fuel or through operating in combustible fumes areas.

Burns: Initially burns can be caused by either direct contact with the heater or by the ignition of combustible clothing. It is important to keep the children at a safe distance from the operational kerosene heaters.

Asphyxiation. Due to the consumption of oxygen by the kerosene heaters when they are burning cab dangerously cause the breathing issue. Especially when they are operated in an inadequate ventilation space. The reduction of oxygen supply to dangerous levels can lead to the production of carbon monoxide. This odorless, colorless gas is itself sufficient to kill a person without giving a warning.

Indoor air pollution: Regardless of carbon monoxide, the kerosene heaters also emit pollutants such as carbon dioxide, Sulphur dioxide and Nitrogen dioxide pollutants. So breathing these substances create a risk of breathing especially for pregnant women, people with asthma, cardiovascular disease, senior persons and young children.

An individual can minimize the hazards through carefully following the instructions being provided by the manufacturers on the use of kerosene heaters or by adopting the precautionary safety measures.

Furthermore, According to the National Fire Protection Association research, the risk of fatal fire associated with the usage of wood stoves, space heaters, and portable heaters is much higher then as compared to central heating. Keeping the high risk of kerosene heaters in the past. Especially during 1993, the Fire Marshal Division of Michigan State Police reported 18 fires in Michigan due to the direct attribution of a kerosene heater. According to a report, 1 person killed, 1 injured with an estimation of 209,000 USD damage in 18 fires. Hence, it’s important for everyone to properly follow the safety measures before putting your or anyone’s life at risk.

Although we don’t guarantee you 100% safety results we are sure that by following these safety rules can reduce the risk of fire, protect the home, save the environment from intensive damages caused by kerosene heaters. These safety tips include:

Safety measure for using Kerosene Heaters Indoor:

• Make sure to use water clear, 1-K grade kerosene
• Make sure you store the kerosene within kerosene container, instead of gasoline can or container that contains gasoline
• While purchasing the kerosene at the pump it’s important to use the only kerosene pump, not gasoline pumps.
• It’s a best practice to buy the kerosene directly from the dealer who ensures the authentic and valid certificate of selling 1-K kerosene.
• Point of pondering, DO NOT refuel the kerosene heaters inside the home. Fill them outside the combustible materials like furniture. Turn off the heaters and wait to cool down before refueling. Don’t refuel during operation or when it’s hot. It could be even more dangerous if you refuel the tank above the “full” mark.
• After buying a kerosene heater it is now your duty to carefully buy fuel, fueling the heather and taking proper care of maintenance,
• Checking the wick on a weekly basis especially during the heating season, clean the wick when dirty as per manufacturers’ instructions,
• It’s essential to wipe up the spills of kerosene as it could cause a fire hazard. Also, remove all the possible dirt on a regular basis.
• Keep the kerosene heaters away from the reach to all furniture, papers, bedding, curtains, clothes and other combustible materials.
• Make sure you are not using kerosene heaters at rooms where there are flammable solvents, lacquers, kerosene containers, aerosol sprays, gasoline or any type of oil.
• Don’t move the kerosene heater when it’s enlightened.
• The official fire municipals urge to switch off the kerosene heaters before going to bed for sleep.
• It’s always recommended and appreciated to use the central heating system during sleep time.