Hi akention,
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's Clearinghouse will be
able to provide you with the number of deaths and injuries caused by
kerosene heaters over the last 5 years. I contacted them this morning
and verified this. They can send you the information by either
conventional mail or email. If you would like to receive the
information through email, you should talk to Pam McDonald, as she is
the person who handles the transmission of information through
electronic means. She is not in today (Friday), but she will be in on
Monday. Here is the contact information for the CPSC's Clearinghouse
(obtained from http://www.cpsc.gov/about/guide.html#Clear):
phone: 1-800-638-2772 (this is the CPSC Hotline, ask to speak to their
Clearinghouse)
email: clearinghouse@cpsc.gov (I do not recommend this method, as I
sent them an email Wednesday evening, and still have not received a
response)
conventional mail: Clearinghouse, CPSC, Washington, D.C. 20207
With regards to the controversial issues surrounding the use of
kerosene heaters in homes, there are many web sites which describe the
potentially serious dangers that you expose yourself to when you use a
kerosene heater. A good summary of these dangers is provided at
http://www.best-insurance-quotes-guide.com/R_kerosene_heater_safety.htm:
"Fire or explosion. Fire could be caused by operating the heater too
close to furniture, draperies or other combustibles, by knocking over
a lighted heater, or by accidentally igniting fuel when filling the
tank. Explosions could be caused by use of the wrong kind of fuel, or
by operating the heater in an area where there are combustible fumes.
Burns. Burns could be caused by direct contact with a heater, or by
ignition of combustible clothing. Children especially should be kept
at a safe distance from operating heaters. Even pets could be injured.
Asphyxiation. Kerosene heaters consume oxygen as they burn. If they
are operated in a small room or in an inadequately ventilated area,
oxygen in the air could be reduced to a dangerous level. Reduced
oxygen supply could lead to incomplete combustion of fuel and the
production of carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a colorless,
odorless gas which in sufficient concentrations, or if breathed over a
period of time, can kill without warning.
Indoor air pollution. In addition to carbon monoxide, kerosene heaters
can emit such pollutants as carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and
sulphur dioxide. Breathing these substances can create a risk,
especially to such people as pregnant women, asthmatics, individuals
with cardiovascular disease, elderly persons and young children."
Due to all of these potential hazards, kerosene heaters are illegal in
many
states, and in many other areas, there are restrictions on where
kerosene
heaters may be used. For example:
* in New Jersey, kerosene heaters are illegal in all buildings except
one and two family homes. See
http://www.fortleefire.org/faq_about_carbon_monoxide_detectors.htm
* in the township of West Milford, New Jersey, kerosene heaters may
not even be used in one and two family homes as primary sources of
heat. See http://www.wmoem.org/FirePrevention/winterprep.htm.
Since different areas have different laws on the use of kerosene
heaters, it is best to check with your local fire department and
building manager to see if they are allowed in your area.
The following web page provides an excellent list of safety tips for
kerosene heaters:
http://www.cdc.gov/nasd/docs/d000801-d000900/d000884/d000884.html
Search strategy:
kerosene heaters illegal
link to Google results:
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&safe=off&q=kerosene+heaters+illegal
kerosene heaters safety
link to Google results:
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&safe=off&q=kerosene+heaters+safety
I hope this helps to answer your question.
Regards,
sldreamer |
