City of Columbus

Space and Kerosene Heaters

Electric Space Heaters
 
Buy only heaters with the Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL) safety listing. Check to make sure it has a thermostat control mechanism, and will switch off automatically if the heater falls over. Heaters are not dryers or tables; don’t put clothes or store objects on top of your heater. Space heaters need space; keep combustibles at least three feet away from each heaters. Always unplug your electric space heater when not in use
The use of portable heaters requires an even greater commitment to safety requirements. Because the heaters are portable, great care must be taken to ensure that they do not block the exit from a room or come in contract with something that will burn.
Keep young children away from space heaters. Pajamas, nightgowns or other loose fitting clothing can easily ignite.
When plugging in electric heaters, make sure that the outlet was designed to handle the load. Be safe; do not plug anything else into the socket with the heater.
If you have an electric space heater, check each season for fraying or splitting wires and overheating. Have all problems repaired by a professional before operating the space heater.

Safe Use & Selection of Kerosene Heaters

If You Have a Fire:

• Sound the alarm. Get everyone out of the house. Call the fire department from a neighbor’s house. Never try to go back into a burning home for any reason.
• Fighting the fire yourself is dangerous. Fire deaths involving kerosene heaters have occurred because someone tried to fight the fire or tried to move a burning heater outside.
• The safest way to fight a fire is to call the fire department, without delay.
• Did you know that smoke detectors and a home fire escape plan more than double your family’s chances of escaping a nighttime fire alive?
• Smoke detectors properly installed and tested at least monthly and a practiced home fire escape plan are a small price to pay for a second chance to escape a nighttime fire.

Care of the Wick is Critical

Some insurance companies have reported an increase in claims for smoke-damaged furniture, clothing, and other household goods caused by improper care of kerosene heater wicks. Portable kerosene heaters have either a wick make of fiberglass or cotton. The most important things to remember about the wick are:

• Fiberglass and cotton wicks are not interchangeable. Replace your wick only with the exact type recommended by the manufacturer.
• Fiberglass wicks are maintained by a process known as “clean burning” to “clean burn”, take the heater to a well-ventilated place outside of the living area, turn the heater on and allow it to run completely out of fuel. After the heater cools, brush any remaining carbon deposits from the wick. Following “clean burning”, the fiber glass wick should feel soft.
        NEVER TRIM A FIBERGLASS WICK AND NEVER “CLEAN BURN” A COTTON WICK. For more information on wick maintenance, consult your owner’s manual or your dealer.  

Rising Heating Bills

Rising heating bills continued to be a source of frustration and sometimes, hardship for many Ohioans. In an effort to resolve that problem, more and more consumers are turning to alternative heating methods such as wood burning stoves, electric space heaters, and kerosene heaters. The fatter has especially been the popular choice of urban dwellers. Even though kerosene heaters have been around for many years, the latest models are more economical, portable, and safer to use than ever before. Despite these superior improvements, fires in Ohio blamed on kerosene heaters continue to increase. Most of these blazes were the result of improper use of the heater by the consumer. This guide attempts to instruct kerosene heater owners on the proper way to operate the device, what type of fuel should be used and what features to look for when shopping for a kerosene heater.

When Selecting A Kerosene Heater, Consider:

• Heat output. No heater will heat the whole house. One or two rooms is a good rule of thumb. Read the heater’s labeling carefully for BTU produced.
• Safety listing. Has the heater been tested by one of the major safety laboratories such as UL for construction and safety features?
• New/used heaters. Second hand, used, or repaired heaters may be bad investments and a fire hazard. When buying a used or reconditioned heater, that purchase should be accompanied by the owner’s manual or operating instructions. Other points to consider would be: checking the condition of the tip-over switch, fuel gauge, ignition system, fuel tank, and the condition of the grill surrounding the heating element. Also look for the label from a major safety laboratory (UL).
• Safety features. Does the heater have its own igniter or do you use matches? The heater must be equipped with an automatic shutoff. Ask the dealer to demonstrate its function should the heater be knocked over.

Proper Use of A Kerosene Heater

Follow the manufacturer’s directions, in particular those describing ventilation of the heater. To ensure adequate ventilation, have a window ajar or leave a door open to an adjoining room to provide an exchange of air. Heaters should never be left burning overnight or while sleeping.
There is a potential for adverse health effects caused by pollutants produced by unvented space heaters. If dizziness, drowsiness, chest pain, fainting, or respiratory irritation occurs, shut off the heater at once and move the affected person to fresh air.
Place a heater no closer than three feet to combustible materials such as drapes, furniture, or wall coverings. Keep doorways and halls clear. In case of fire, a heater should not be blocking your escape.
Keep children away from the heater while it is operating to prevent contact burns. Some heater surfaces can research temperatures of several hundred degrees Fahrenheit under normal operating conditions. 

Refueling the Heater
Careless refueling is another cause of kerosene heater fires. Owners pour kerosene into hot, sometimes still burning heaters and a fire starts. To prevent a refueling fire and needless injury:

• Refuel the heater outdoors, only after it has cooled.
• Refuel the heater to only 90% full.

Once indoors where it is warm, the kerosene will expand. Checking the fuel gauge during refilling will help keep you from overfilling the heater’s fuel storage tank. 

Buying the Correct Fuel and Storing it Safely  
Your heater is designed to burn high quality crystal clear 1-K kerosene. The use of any other fuel, including gasoline and camping fuel, can lead to a serious fire. The proper fuel, crystal clear 1-K kerosene, will be crystal clear. Do not use discolored fuel. Kerosene has a distinct odor that is different from the odor of gasoline. If your fuel smells like gasoline do not use it.
The leading cause of kerosene heater fires in Ohio is a result of accidentally contaminating the kerosene fuel with gasoline. To avoid the serious consequences of fuel contamination, follow these recommendations:

• Keep 1-K kerosene only in a container clearly marked KEROSENE. The container should be a distinctive blue or white color to distinguish it from the familiar red gasoline can.
• Never put heater fuel in a container that has been used for gasoline or any other liquid.
• Never lend your container to anyone who may use it for anything other than 1-K kerosene.
• Instruct anyone buying fuel for you that only 1-K kerosene is to be put in the container.
• Watch you container being filled, the pump should be marked kerosene. If there is any doubt, ask the attendant. 
  Once you have the correct fuel it must be stored safely. Store your fuel in a cool dry place, out of the reach of children. Do not store it inside or near a heat source.

 http://firesafety.buffnet.net/winter.htm