CPSC and NKHA Stress Kerosene Heater Safety
Consumer Product Safety Commission
CPSC and NKHA Stress Kerosene Heater Safety
CPSC Document #5052
If you are using a kerosene heater, the U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission and the National Kerosene Heater Association
advise you to follow these suggestions in order to minimize the
risk of fire and potential health effects from indoor air
pollution.
- Use only water-clear 1 K grade kerosene. 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 separate container intended for
kerosene, not in a gasoline can or a can that has contained
gasoline. This helps you avoid using contaminated fuel or the
wrong fuel by mistake. Kerosene containers are usually blue;
gasoline containers are usually 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 is 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 down. Do not
refuel the heater when it is hot or is in operation. Do not fill
the fuel tank above the "full" mark. The space above the "full"
mark is to allow the fuel room to expand without causing leakage
when the heater is operating.
- 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 area 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 that 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 your 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 insure
adequate fresh air infiltration. This is true 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.
CAUTION: Improper fuel may cause pollution and sooting of the
burner. Use only water clear No. 1-K Kerosene.
DANGER: Risk of explosion. Never use gasoline in this heater.
CAUTION: Risk of indoor air pollution. Use this heater only in a
well ventilated area. See operating instructions for details.
009403
U.S. Govt Printing Office: 1996 - 402-314/39054