Kerosene Heater Safety

Thursday December 19, 2019

According to the National Fire Protection Association, supplemental heating equipment, such as a kerosene heater, is the leading cause of home fires during the months of December, January and February.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, supplemental heating equipment, such as a kerosene heater, is the leading cause of home fires during the months of December, January and February. Home heating equipment trails only cooking equipment as the leading cause of home fires year-round. The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency offers the following kerosene heater safety tips:

• Kerosene heaters require 1-K grade kerosene. Never use a substitute, such as gasoline or camp stove fuel. In kerosene heaters, such fuels will start a fire or explode.

• Check the wick every week during the heating season. If it's dirty, clean it according to the manufacturer's instructions.

• Never attempt to move a lighted kerosene heater. Extinguish the flame and allow the heater to cool before moving.

• Never refuel a kerosene heater inside or when the heater is still hot. Wait for it to cool.

• Kerosene heaters have a constant open flame and should not be used in a room where there are flammable solvents, aerosol sprays, lacquers, gasoline, kerosene containers or any type of oil.

• Keep kerosene heaters at least three feet away from all furniture, curtains, papers, clothes, bedding, and other combustible materials.

• Keep children and pets away from kerosene heaters. Touching any part of an operating heater above the open flame could result in a serious burn.

• Always turn off your kerosene heater when unattended and at night.

• Never smoke when refueling a kerosene heater.

• Clean up any kerosene spills immediately. Spills are a fire hazard.

• Never store kerosene in a container previously used to store other liquids. Be sure the container is suitable for kerosene storage and properly marked.

“If you’ll be using a fireplace, wood stove, or kerosene heater, install a smoke detector and a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector near the area to be heated,” says Jim Cook, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator at the tri-county health department. “Test them monthly and replace batteries twice a year.” All fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside. Each winter season have your furnace system and vent checked by a qualified technician to ensure they are functioning properly.