NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota State University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665
November 18, 1999
As temperatures drop, space heaters are turned up, sometimes with catastrophic and tragic results, according to a North Dakota State University safety specialist.
"Fuels, carbon monoxide, electricity and heat all create safety concerns that require special precautions when using space heaters," notes George Maher of the NDSU Extension Service. "Failing to observe those precautions can be deadly."
A key concern is carbon monoxide, a deadly, odorless, colorless gas that is produced whenever a fuel is burned. Maher says it's essential to have a carbon monoxide detector in place whenever a fuel-burning space heater is used.
Those heaters also require an adequate supply of combustion air. Oxygen is always consumed when any fuel is burned. "That oxygen must always be replaced," Maher says. "It is usually very difficult to supply enough fresh, oxygen-laden air for a space heater without losing the heat that is produced. Never depend on air that seeps in through windows and doors for the ventilation air needed to safely use a space heater. It just isn't enough to do the job."
Most space heaters have hot outside surfaces -- a dangerous situation for toddlers and youngsters who do not completely understand "hot" and "don't touch." Those hot surfaces also pose a threat to combustible materials. Keep such materials well away from heaters, Maher says.
The process of refueling space heaters is dangerous, too. All space heaters should be shut off and allowed to cool down before being refilled with fuel, Maher says. Always shut off and cool a propane-fueled space heater before fuel containers are replaced. A glowing hot element in the heater will easily ignite propane vapors.
"There is no safe way to pour kerosene into the tank of a space heater while it is operating. Just a small splash of kerosene on the hot heater will immediately cause a serious fire," Maher says.
Many space heaters are taller than they are wide, making them easy to tip over. Kerosene-fueled space heaters will then spill their fuel and cause a fire. While propane contained in the tank will not spill, it can surge if the tank is tipped and cause a dangerous and sudden flare-up in the flame.
Electric space heaters have their own dangers. Well-designed heaters will not allow the electrical element to come in contact with combustible material. Newer units will also have an automatic shut-off feature to prevent such events. Old and damaged space heaters may give electrical shocks or cause accidental burns from surfaces that get too hot.
"Some consumers may believe it is cheaper to use a space heater for warming a chilly room, when actually a few very-low-cost home improvements could really be the solution," Maher notes. Improving the weather stripping of windows and doors and covering windows with plastic film may be a safer and more cost-effective way to warm a room.
"However, if a space heater must be used, be sure to read and follow the instructions and keep the fire department phone number handy. Always practice safety to avoid burns, fires and possibly the loss of a home," Maher says.
###
Source: George Maher (701) 231-8288
Editor: Tom Jirik (701) 231-9629