Heating Safety |Be prepared for Winter|

 

Heating Safety

Due to lack of awareness on heating Safety and malpractices, multiple fire incidents and Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning accidents are reported on media every year in the winter season, where people lost their lives and property due to wrong practices in the use of heating equipment. These incidents can be prevented by following good practices and safety measures during the use of heating equipment that includes, wood stove or portable space heater (electricity or fuel). In this article, we will discuss all important aspects of heating safety that include heating safety tips, Heat, and heating equipment in the context of heating safety, and the social media awareness messages. It would be appreciated if the reader could further share the articles to be part of a heating safety campaign to save hundreds of lives around the globe.

Heating Safety Tips

2. Keep all combustibles at least three feet (one meter) away from heating equipment that includes Sofa Set, wooden table, Books, Bad, clothes, etc...
3. Have a three-foot (one meter) “free zone” around open fires and space heaters (None should seat around/in free Zone).
4. Always seek professional services if any new installation of heating equipment is in the plan or for maintenance of the existing heating equipment
5. Clean and inspect the heating equipment and chimneys once a year by employing technician.
6. Remember to turn portable heaters off upon leave the office or going to bed if live-in basecamp (Never put on the heater while sleeping it can cause CO poisoning)
7. Always check manufacture guidelines to select fuel for respective heating equipment
8. Make sure the fireplace has a cover to stop sparks from flying into the office/room.
9.  If using gas cylinders keep them outside the room and inspect them for leakage or any other physical damage
10. Ensure no wire or gas pipe can cause a trip hazard in the office
11. Ashes should be cool down before dispose them in a container (metallic).
12. Keep the container at a safe distance away from combustibles.
13.  Don’t use your oven to heat your office/basecamp
14. Avoid overload electric board/panel by use of multiple electric heaters in single electric board or panel, ensure safe load distribution
15. Store gas or liquid fuel stoke in a safe and secure place wherein use (keep stoke minimum to avoid hazards associated with fuel)
16. Check fire extinguisher at least once a month where installed
17. Test smoke alarms per month where installed
18. Test CO alarms per month where installed

Risk Associated with Heat & Heating Equipment

1. The most lethal risk of heating effects is the discharge of carbon monoxide from the heating equipment especially when any hydrocarbon is used as fuel. It is called slow position and exposure to a high level of CO causes instant death. Further low-level exposures are also left severe impacts on the victim's health.
2. The second risk of heating and eating equipment is a fire which not only fatal for life but also devastates the property.
3. The third risk electrocution where the heating equipment is run with help of electricity
4. The fourth risk burns from the hot surfaces or heating equipment

CO poisoning symptoms

If someone get exposed to CO the symptoms can be as under depends on the level of exposure;

1. Headache is the most common symptom for even low-level exposure
2. Shortness of breath
3. Unusual behavior
4. Fatigue/lethargic
5. Feeling Sick
6. Dizziness
7. Difficulty in walking
8. Vision problems
9. Nausea & vomiting
10. Irregular Breathing
11. Pain in Chest
12. Irregular Heart beating

Remember CO poisoning is a medical emergency where victims need medical care on time.

Social Media Messages for heating safety in the winter season

• A fine morning is waiting for don’t make it your last night! #Heatingsafety #Wintersafety 
• Smoke Alarm guards your life against fire while you’re sleeping! #FireSafety #wintersafety
• Detect unseen danger – Install CO alarm! #Heatingsafety #WinterSafety
• November is ending let's clean heating equipment & chimney! #heatingsafety #wintersafety
• Space heater needs some Space – Leave 3 feet distance around heater! #Heatingsafety #Wintersafety
• Turning On the heater for the Whole Night is a Bad Idea! #Wintersafety

Important sites where you can get heating safety information

Home Heating Safety
How to Keep Your Heating System Safe and Prevent Heating Accidents?
Heating Safety Best Space Heaters for Home and Offices