Are Kerosene Heaters Safe to Use indoors

You’ve probably seen the popularity of kerosene heaters in temperate countries. The role of heaters in increasing the temperature in the room is immense. 

But are kerosene heaters safe to use indoors? This question often peeks into your mind, doesn’t it?

To be brief, there are enough possibilities of danger with kerosene heaters. Yet, safety measurements might give you enough respite to utilize their usage. In this article, buddy, we shall cover up everything you need to know about the safety and risk of kerosene heaters.

Are Kerosene Heaters Safe to Use indoors?

Let’s first find out if kerosene heaters are safe to use indoors or how risky they are. The use of kerosene heaters is unsafe in two ways. 

First of all, from a health point of view, it is unsafe to use a kerosene heater. Second, the kerosene heater may cause an accident. Lemme elaborate a bit. 

Is kerosene heaters bad for health?  

Kerosene fumes emitted from kerosene heaters such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide are harmful to human health. Using an indoor kerosene heater is especially risky, if your family has children, the elderly, and pregnant women, heart patients, and asthma patients. 

When too much of this toxic fumes like carbon monoxide enters your body through inhalation, it can exacerbate your physical complications. 

So in a word, kerosene heaters are not good for your health. In this case, it is better to use alternative methods to warm the house. Or they should be used considerably apart from human existence. 

Can kerosene heaters cause accidents?

The kerosene heater is quite likely to cause an accident, if not given attention. It can be a fire hazard if you keep it on while you are away from it. Children are drawn to it more often.

In brief, kerosene heaters should not be kept on even in unattended condition. The flames of the kerosene heater continue to burn openly. This is why when an easily combustible gas or gaseous substance comes in contact with a kerosene heater flame it can cause a sudden fire accident. 

Exceptions occur in the case of unvented kerosene heaters. Since it has a safer barrier which is relatively safe compared to open portable heaters.  

How to use Kerosene Heater Safely Indoors? 

Many times a simple alternative is not available. So, you may need to use a kerosene heater to reduce the severity of the winter. 

In this case, I am sharing with you some useful steps on how to use kerosene heaters indoors to avoid the risk.

First Step

We know that if a flammable gas comes in contact with this heater, a fatal accident like a fire can happen. Therefore, do not use aerosol spray in the house while the kerosene heater is on. 

If there is gas in the cylinder, make sure that the gas does not leak in any way. It’s common sense stuff, isn’t it? Also avoid putting flammable liquids near the heater. 

Second Step

If you have children in your home, be careful when using a kerosene heater. Refrain from letting children run and play around kerosene heaters. 

Otherwise, if your children touch the hot part of the heater or the flame, it could burn their hands or cause an accident bigger than that. Please share the guidelines for careful use of kerosene heaters with children as well as other family members. 

Inform them about the potential risks of kerosene heaters. A little caution is capable of avoiding major accidents.

Third step

Finally, never keep the kerosene heater on while sleeping. If the amount of oxygen in your home is reduced for any reason, the kerosene heater can produce too much carbon monoxide. 

The same rule applies not only to kerosene heaters, but to any other heater that is powered by organic fuels. Therefore, to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, make sure to turn off the heater before going to bed. 

You know that if you have any unexpected situations while you are asleep, you may not have time to act quickly.

Fourth Step

Moreover, you can install safety applications like Co detector, carbon monoxide detector or carbon monoxide alarm. Besides, make sure to have an adequate ventilation system. 

If you are careful, there is no problem using kerosene heaters indoors. So if you want you can take note of the main points mentioned above.

How long can you run a kerosene heater indoors?

The combustion material of a Kerosene heater is actually the kerosene fuel. So the heater tank has to be filled with fuel at regular intervals. 

Once the good quality kerosene heaters are refueled, you can use them for 4 to 5 hours straight for indoor heating. But it would not be wise to use it continuously for so long. Because you know it can increase the Co poisoning. 

When lighting a kerosene heater in the house, you can meet your needs in less time even if the environment is relatively closed. The good news is that even if you use it for a very short time, you will still get enough heat from a kerosene heater to keep your home warm. 

Can I use Kerosene heaters in the tent?

Answer: Yes, the small size kerosene heater allows you to use it effortlessly in the tent with the necessary precautions. The effect of frosty air is more in the tent. So get instant warmth with the help of a kerosene heater. 

However, it is not possible to use a propane space heater or the indoor space heater in the tent even if you want. In this situation  portable kerosene heaters can be a good choice. But keep in mind that using an oversized heater will do more harm than good.

Kerosene VS Propane portable heater: Which one is better? 

You can use either kerosene or propane heater according to your needs and preferences. I am comparing these two for the convenience of your understanding. 

Kerosene heaters generally consume less fuel than propane heaters. So there is less hassle of refueling and less fuel expenditure. You need a separate propane tank for a propane space heater. But there is no such hassle in any kerosene heater.

You can sleep peacefully with the ventless model of propane heater on. But you won’t be able to fall asleep with kerosene heaters on. 

Kerosene heaters’ combustion material is kerosene. On the contrary, the combustible fuel of the propane heater is a kind of gas (but different from natural gas).

Frequently Asked Question

Conclusion

Hopefully by now you understand how safe or unsafe it is for you to use a kerosene heater indoors. In addition, you can easily get the precise utility using portable kerosene heaters by maintaining the safety features. 

Now it is up to you to make the right decision considering all the pros and cons of using kerosene heaters indoors. Adios, buddy.