Kerosene Heaters

Use and Safety Tips

Portable kerosene heaters are able to supply you with temporary heat during a power outage, and can also be used to warm a room without the expense of heating the entire house.

Surprisingly enough, I'm able to use a 23,000 BTU kerosene heater, that keeps my entire small home at a very confortable level, even in sub-freezing temperatures.

Fortunately, newer models are manufactured with numerous safety features. They are pictured in the owners manual and many warning stickers are plastered all over the heaters, themselves.

However, operator errors, like using gasoline instead of kerosene, failure to provide adequate ventilation, fuel spills, and such, have resulted in numerous home fires. So you need to carefully follow the instructions and heed the warnings.

Most kerosene heater models are equipped with manual or emergency "shut off" devices, should the heater topple over.

Remember that improper fuel may cause pollution and sooting. Always use 1-K kerosene. NEVER use gasoline. Keep the wick clean and in good operating condition (follow the cleaning and maintenance procedures recommended by the manufacturer). Use your kerosene heater in a well ventilated area, to avoid the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. In other words, crack a window! Its always wise to not only have fire and smoke detectors in your home, but carbon monoxide detectors, as well.

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