House Fires Due to Kerosene Heaters

Don't let a kerosene heater start a fire in your home.

Kerosene heaters are not used as frequently as they were in the past, but they are still around. These types of space heaters work by providing heat through the burning of kerosene and an open flame. The threat of house fires is significant with a kerosene heater for several reasons, and knowing the dangers of these devices is important to help keep your home safe from a blaze.

Deadly Statistics

Supplemental heaters like kerosene-fueled units are responsible for a great number of fires and injuries each year in the United States. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website groups kerosene heaters in the same category with wood and coal burning stoves. The site states that around 120,000 residential fires annually are attributed to the use of these devices. That total makes up 22 percent of all residential fires. These fires kill more than 600 people each year and injure thousands more, according to the CPSC website.

Improper Fuel

Using the wrong kind of fuel in a kerosene heater can lead to fire hazards and explosions. The Pleasant Fire website recommends that only 1-k kerosene be used in these heaters. Also called K1, 1-k kerosene is easy to identify because it is crystal clear unlike other types. If there is any discoloration in the fuel, you should not use it. Kerosene should be stored in a container that is used only for this type of fuel. Mixing gasoline with kerosene is one cause of fires associated with these heaters.

Dangerous Refueling

When refueling your kerosene heater you should take great care in doing so. Fires can result if you attempt to refuel the heater while it is on or even if it is still hot from use. Take the heater outdoors and allow it to cool. Refuel it after it has cooled completely and then bring it back inside. Filling the tank more than 90 percent full is also dangerous because the kerosene will expand as it heats.

Careless Placement

Careless placement of kerosene heaters is a major cause of house fires. Place kerosene heaters in the center of a room away from walls or any flammable objects. Placing a heater near curtains or furniture could cause the material to ignite, which could spread flames across the house quickly. Three feet is the minimum required distance from any combustible material for safety.

Moving

Never attempt to move a kerosene heater while it is in use or when it is hot. Moving it while it is too hot could cause contact burns and may cause you to drop the heater, tipping it over and starting a fire. Moving it while lit could cause fuel to slosh around and ignite, causing a flare up and potential for fire and serious burns.

References

• Consumer Product Safety Commission: Your Home Fire Safety Checklist
• Pleasant Fire: Safe Use & Selection of Kerosene Heaters