Kerosene Safety
The following list will help reduce the risk of a fire from using a
portable kerosene heater:
Use only water-clear 1-K grade kerosene (see Figure 1). Never use
gasoline. Gasoline is not the same as kerosene. Even small amounts of
gasoline or other volatile fuels or solvents mixed with kerosene can
substantially increase the risk of a fire or an explosion.
Always store kerosene in a container intended for kerosene, not in a
gasoline can or a can that has contained gasoline. This helps avoid
using contaminated fuel or the wrong fuel by mistake. Kerosene
containers are usually blue, gasoline containers are red.
When purchasing kerosene at the pump, make sure to use the kerosene
pump, not the gasoline pump. Some service stations have separate
islands for kerosene. Some oil companies have also established
quality control programs to minimize the chances of gasoline
contamination of kerosene.
1-K grade kerosene should be purchased from a dealer who can certify
that what is being sold is 1-K. State-operated and private sector
certification programs that ensure the quality of kerosene are
established in some states. Grades other than 1-K can lead to a
release of more pollutants in your home, posing a possible health
risk. Different grades of kerosene can look the same so it important
that the dealer certify that the product sold is 1-K grade kerosene.
Never refuel the heater inside the home. Fill the tank outdoors, away
from combustible materials, and only after the heater has been turned
off and allowed to cool. Do not refuel the heater when it is hot or
in operation. Do not fill the fuel tank above the "full"
mark. The space above the "full" mark is to allow the fuel
to expand without causing leakage when the heater is operated.
In case of flare-up or if uncontrolled flaming occurs, do not attempt
to move or carry the heater. This can make the fire worse. If the
heater is equipped with a manual shut-off switch, activate the switch
to turn off the heater. If this does not extinguish the fire, leave
the house immediately and call the fire department. As an added
reminder and precaution, install at least one smoke detector near
each sleeping are or on each level of the house.
Reduce your exposure to indoor air pollutants by properly operating
and maintaining your portable kerosene heater. Although portable
kerosene heaters are very efficient in the burning of fuel to produce
heat, low levels of certain pollutants such as carbon monoxide and
nitrogen dioxide are produced. Exposure to low levels of these
pollutants may be harmful, especially to individuals with chronic
respiratory or circulatory health problems.
To assure you and family members are not exposed to significant
levels of these pollutants, you should follow carefully the following
rules of safe operation:
Operate your heater in a room with a door open to the rest of the
house.
If you must operate your heater in a room with the door closed to the
rest of the house, open an outside window approximately an inch to
permit fresh air to effectively dilute the pollutants below a level
of concern.
Always operate your heater according to the manufacturer:s
instructions, making sure that the wick is set at the proper level as
instructed by the manufacturer.
Keep the wick in your heater clean and in good operating condition by
following the cleaning and maintenance procedures recommended by the
manufacturer.
Keep an outside window opened approximately an inch to ensure
adequate fresh air infiltration. This is important regardless of
whether you use a kerosene heater or some other conventional method
of heating. If your home is relatively new and tight, or if it is
older but has been winterized to reduce air infiltration from the
outside.
Reference: Consumer Produce Safety Alert - 009403. |
