Kerosene Heater Dangers

[fireman17]

I just wanted to take a moment to remind all of my fellow Disney'ers about the dangers of kerosene heaters and to be safe this holiday season. We as firefighters are reminded this time of year when fires occur due to the heaters.
Our department had this happen yesterday, we responded to a second alarm fire and while enroute were informed of a person trapped. The first alarm fire company located the victim and we were able to help them get her out of a window, but we were too late she died at the hospital. We found out she was a stoke victim and had some disabilities getting around, her husband had three kerosene heaters in the house. He decided to fill one in the house while it was still on, he moved to the hallway and overfilled it and it caught fire and blocked him from getting his wife, two passerby's attempted to get in the house but there was too much fire.
The husband told the fire investigator he's been filling them for years while they were on and nothing ever happened. Well yesterday was the day something happened, not only did he lose his home he lost his wife as well.
Please friends I know this winter will be tough with high oil prices and lower temperatures but use commen sense when it comes to heating your homes.
If you have kerosene heaters turn them off and fill them outside, don't use your oven for heat as this is also a cause for first to start in the home and finally be safe with candles.
Have a safe a happy holiday season!!!!

 

[Lynn CC]

Thanks for the warning, really Thank You!
My DH is in the middle of building our deck as we speak and he has bought 2 new Reddy Heaters that run on Kerosene. He just went to the Wood Center to pick up some more screws and left them on unattended! I'll let him know about turning them off before he fills them, actually I printed out your post!
Happy Holidays and thanks for sharing

 

[laurie31]

Excellent reminder. The same caution applies to space heaters as well. Down south, lots of people don't have central heat and rely on kerosene or electric heaters to keep warm

This happened just last week.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/113446898420571.xml&coll=2

Midfield boy dies in blaze, electric space heater blamed
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
BILL PLOTT
News staff writer
An electric space heater is believed to be the cause of an early Sunday morning fire that took the life of a 12-year-old Midfield boy.

"Our investigation has indicated that another child in the house had placed an electric, portable heater close to the bed," said state Fire Marshal Richard Montgomery. "He woke with the covers on fire. It originated down in a basement bedroom."

Martin Luther Hall, who died in the fire on Grant Street, was in an upstairs bedroom when fire broke out. Montgomery said he was found in a closet. "That's not unusual. People are looking for a place to hide sometimes" under such conditions, Montgomery said.
----------------------

This article also brings up the importance of talking with kids about what to do it a fire. This child had siblings that escaped, including the one whose bed actually caught fire. Also, firefighters wearing all their protective garb can look frightening to a child. Make sure they know that behind the scary-looking mask is someone who wants to help them!


Finally, if you haven't seen it yet, check out this video: http://www.usfa.fema.gov/safety/tips/holiday.shtm

click on "holiday tree fire hazzards" then on "tree fire video clip"

The video clip from the Building and Fire Research Laboratory of the National Institute of Standards and Technology illustrates what happens when fire touches a dry tree. Within three seconds of ignition, the dry Scotch pine is completely ablaze. At five seconds, the fire extends up the tree and black smoke with searing gases streaks across the ceiling. Fresh air near the floor feeds the fire. The sofa, coffee table and the carpet ignite prior to any flame contact. Within 40 seconds "flashover" occurs -- that's when an entire room erupts into flames, oxygen is depleted and dense, deadly toxic smoke engulfs the scene.
-----------------------------

On average, you have 2 minutes to get out if your house catches on fire. Time to grab your kids and hopefully your pets. Probably nothing else. Don't even try. Just get out.

Laurie