15Jun
Safety Tips for Gas Heaters
Gas heaters shouldn’t be used in small-enclosed areas, especially bedrooms because of potential carbon monoxide poisoning
If you are going to use a Gas Heater, make sure you have a Childproof Gas Heater Burn Protection Screen attached to it
Our childproof fireplace and gas heater safety screens have been designed specifically with the safety of your child or pet in mind.
The Gas heater burn protection child/pet surround screen is the 1st of its kind – refer to image at the top of this post. Designed for an indoor gas heater. The surround screen has 2 hooks that attach to the front grid of the portable gas heater, allowing a 10cm gap between the gas flame and grid ensuring no burns or scalds incur whilst the screen stays securely place. The grid gets warm, but not hot. The Gas Heater Screen has 2 solid 90 degree side panels (29cm) preventing access from the sides as well.
What type of fire extinguisher puts out Gas Fires?
Use a Class B fire extinguisher available at leading hardware stores like Builders Warehouse and Leroy Merlin.
Class B fires involve flammable and combustible liquids such as gasoline, alcohol, oil-based paints, lacquers. Therefore, extinguishers with a B rating are designed to extinguish fires involving flammable and combustible liquids.
Over and above installing a screen – Here are some useful Safety Tips for Gas Heaters
- Always turn your heater and gas valve off when not in use.
- Make sure the back support that comes with the Gas Heater is in place and secured with small bolts at all times. The Gas bottle is heavy and can easily fall out onto a little one. If you no longer have the back support, join cable ties and thread them through the holes provided for the bolts on the sides and tighten, securely anchoring the gas bottle inside the gas heater.
- Be sure to have emergency numbers at hand
- PRINT OUT ALL EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS and place them within reach for a child (that can read) to access quickly. Make sure they know what this list is for.
- Keep all important numbers (EMS – emergency medical services) by the phone in the house: Ambulance; Fire; Doctor; nearest hospital emergency room; nearest poison control helpline; the police; etc.
- NB NB NB! Do NOT take for granted that these numbers are always in use. Update these numbers regularly by phoning & checking that they exist; however trying not to hold up the lines in case of a real emergency incoming call.
- Make sure all the components like the heater, regulator and hose connectors of your unit are well-maintained.
- Do not use aerosols or flammable cleaning liquids or sprays in close proximity to the heater.
- Avoid sitting or standing too close to your heater, it might feel nice and toasty but gas burns are no joke.
- Always ensure that the room in use is well-ventilated. If it becomes stuffy, open windows and doors to allow fresh air in immediately. Carbon monoxide is a colourless and odourless gas that can go completely unnoticed yet cause serious illness or, in severe cases, death due to poisoning.
- Always follow manufacturer guidelines carefully.
- Be extra vigilant with children and pets near gas heaters – those tiny fingers, paws or tails might just get into the wrong place – invest in a Gas Heater Burn Protection Screen
- Never place clothes or other items like towels over ANY heater. We have all been guilty of this at one time or another, whether it is heating up a towel while showering or socks before going to bed. Remember that this is dangerous as a fire can start without anyone noticing.
- Do not move your unit while it is in use. First turn it off and wait for it cool down a little before moving it around.
- Keep gas heaters at least one metre away from all flammable objects including furniture, curtains, books and boxes.
- Portable gas heater hoses or power cords should not be extended through a doorway into other rooms. A door could accidentally be closed and cause a leak in the hose.
- Remember to check the LP Gas safety association’s website to make sure your appliance is listed as a safe appliance. Remember to look out for the LP Gas Safety association sticker on your appliance or its packaging.
- Most manufacturers suggest a periodic inspection or service of the appliance or installation. Two years is the most common recommendation. Always refer back to your owner’s manual.
- Do not use outdoor gas heaters indoors. Outdoor gas heaters may create carbon monoxide.
- Carbon monoxide can make you dizzy, give you headaches or flu-like symptoms, and extended exposure can be fatal.
- This may sound like a joke to most people but it is an actual thing that people do quite regularly: do not use your gas oven to heat up your home. The things that could go wrong are endless.
What to do in the event of a small fire starting
!!! DO NOT throw water at the flames.
!!! Never move a gas heater when it’s burning or hot.
- You need to act fast to keep the fire from getting out of control.
- Move the family outside first and get a mask on as soon as possible.
- Smother the fire with a wet towel and use another wet cloth to turn the gas valve off when it is safe to do so.
- Use a Class B fire extinguisher when the fire’s fuel source is a combustible gas or liquid such as gasoline, ethanol or propane
- Try moving the gas appliance out of the house as soon as you have the situation under control.
- Do not try using the gas heater before having the problem checked by a certified installer.
What to do if you smell gas in your home
- When you smell gas, please do not light flames or create sparks – this includes lighting a cigarette.
- Don’t operate light switches, appliances or telephones.
- Leave the area with the doors and windows wide open. Do not use an electrical fan to try and blow away any leaking gas.
- Shut off the gas at the gas bottle valve by turning it clockwise. (Remember: righty tighty – lefty loosey)
- Don’t turn it back on until it has been checked by a qualified gas technician.
- Do not return inside your home until the gas has had time to dissipate.
- Do not use an electrical fan to try and blow away the gas.
- Remember that LPG is heavier than air and can accumulate in low areas.
- Get your system checked by your local gas installer regularly.
