Before purchasing a kerosene heater, check with your local fire marshal or fire department to ascertain whether or not these types of heating appliances are restricted in your area. There are serious hazards associated with the use of kerosene heaters in your home or business premises. Consequently, you must take the necessary safety measures to protect yourself and any other persons in the vicinity of your heating appliance. The following information must be read in conjunction with your heater’s user instructions or manual.

Skin Injury

Superficial or serious first and second degree burns can be caused by accidentally exposing the skin and hair in direct contact with or in very close proximity to the appliance when running or through personal clothing, that is combustible, which ignites and burns after coming in contact with the heater. Family pets like dogs and cats must be also kept a safe distance away from the appliance along with any young children.

Combustible Materials

Combustible household materials like curtains, blinds, coverings and furniture may catch fire if the heater is located too close to them. Care must also be taken not tilt or knock over a heater when running as fuel may spill and ignite. Keep all pressurized cylinders and tins away from a heater as these may expand and explode when heated. Never place an appliance in an area, like an automobile workshop, where combustible fumes might be present. To prevent a build up of potential combustible fumes inside the heated area that may ignite and cause an explosion, never refuel a kerosene heater indoors. Never refuel a hot appliance – always allow sufficient time for it to cool. Explosions can also occur if the wrong type of fuel oil is used with a kerosene heater, for example, if gasoline is used as an alternative.

Carbon Monoxide

Kerosene is a fossil fuel and requires sufficient oxygen to burn correctly. If a kerosene heater is operated in a small area or where there is insufficient ventilation, then oxygen levels will become dangerously low. This in turn will then lead to incomplete burning of the fuel resulting in the emission of carbon monoxide. Being a colorless, tasteless and odourless gas, carbon monoxide cannot be physically detected by any human sensory organs. This toxic gas inhibits the blood’s capability to carry oxygen to body tissues including critical organs such as the heart and brain. When carbon monoxide is inhaled, it combines with the oxygen transporting hemoglobin of the blood to create carboxyhemoglobin. Once united with the hemoglobin, that hemoglobin is no longer available for carrying oxygen resulting in serious health complications or even death.

Further Products Of Combustion

Along with carbon monoxide, further products of combustion are also emitted into the heated area, which consist of sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide gases. Consequently, people such as children, the elderly, asthmatics, pregnant women and persons with heart problems might be vulnerable to the effects of these additional products of combustion.

You should never underestimate the potential dangers of an indoor kerosene heater. Always be conscious of the risks associated with these heating appliances and under no circumstances should you ever become complacent in their use.