Exercise Fire Safety

On November 25th of last year, Anum Kauser Dalvi, a seven year old girl from Manchester, England, was watching television with her older brother Mauzam when her skirt was suddenly set alight by a portable gas heater. Shortly after, as Mauzam went upstairs to get ready for work, he heard his sister's screams and found her covered in flames. Although he tried to smother the flames, Anum suffered 40 percent burns, with the worst injuries occurring to her lower limbs, torso, and arms.

Because of her significant burns, she became susceptible to infection and developed sepsis, which is a serious medical condition characterized by a whole-body inflammatory state. Sadly, Anum succumbed to her injuries and died on January 24 due to multiple organ failure.

Unfortunately, heating accidents like this are not uncommon, and with the recent onslaught of fires ravaging areas in Southern California, fire safety should be of the utmost concern. Dry winds and vestiges of a dry winter can also help spark fires outdoors, and caution should be taken when heating indoor areas as well.

To safely heat your home or office, be aware that portable gas heaters are not recommended for indoor use, as they release dangerous gases such as carbon monoxide. These are usually only suitable for outdoor use and in areas with ample ventilation such as in patios, and in fact, these types of heaters are even illegal in some countries.

For safe space heating, look for other types of heaters such as those using electricity. For small, personal areas, oil-filled heaters are a safe and economical choice. These heaters operate by warming a special heating-conserving oil and radiate the heat into the personal space or home. For larger areas, infrared heaters are a good choice, as they use silent, infrared technology to heat areas.

If you insist on using a liquid-filled space heater, do so with caution. Use only the fuel recommended by the manufacturer, and never use substitute fuel, as the wrong type of fuel could burn hotter than the equipment's design limits and cause a fire. Be sure to check with your local fire department to find out if portable fuel heaters are legal in your community, and store the kerosene away from heat or open flame in a container approved by the local fire department.