We may be halfway through winter, but we’re not out of the woods yet. Elmarie Twilley, spokesperson for the insurance company Virseker, points out some of the unexpected dangers that could be lurking beneath your preferred heat source and urges you to exercise caution when using any type of heating device.
- Fire
Whether it’s a roaring fire or just a few candles, an open flame should never be left unattended. Make sure there are no flammable fabrics near any open flames and that fires are lit in well-ventilated areas.
- Flammable Liquids
Liquids like paraffin are commonly used as heating fuels, but can be harmful to lungs and impair your ability to breathe, especially in an area that isn’t well ventilated. Any kind of spill also increases the risk of fire.
- Gas
Gas heaters can be great, especially when load shedding hits but, as with paraffin, inhaling gas fumes inside an enclosed space can result in severe illness and even death. A leaking gas cylinder is also a huge fire hazard.
- Faulty Wiring
Your trusty electric heater might be safer than some of the more incendiary heating options, but damaged or faulty wiring could cause your power to trip or, even worse, result in sparks that could escalate into a fire.
- Faulty Trip Switches
Trip switches are there to protect your home’s electrical circuit from damage caused by overloading, or a short circuit, by interrupting the flow of current. If the trip switch stops malfunctions, the fuse inside your heater or other electrical appliances could blow, and once again possibly cause a fire.
- Geysers
A leaky geyser is one thing, but water from your geyser leaking on to a live electrical appliances could be a recipe for disaster. Install a drip tray under your geyser to direct any water away from danger zones.
- Coal
All coal fire is exceptionally high in noxious fumes and never recommended indoors.
- Electric Blankets
Everyone’s favourite bed warmer should be turned on just before you go to bed, and off again immediately after you get in. The temptation to leave it on might be strong, but, despite various technological advancements, this comes with the risk of severe burns, or even electrocution.
- Water
We all like a cup of something hot in winter, but boiling pots and kettles should always be watched and kept well out of reach of children, who may seriously, even fatally, burn themselves.
- Your Own Memory
Remembering to turn the heater or stove off can be even harder when load shedding hits. When the power comes back on, you might find that a burner on the stove or a heater is still on. If the power is out and you’re unsure whether an appliance is on or not, switch off the power at the mains, or unplug the appliance.
Twilley adds, ‘If you do have an electrical issue, or a burst geyser, don’t try to fix it yourself. Rather call the insurance company with whom you have insured your home, or home contents. Emergency home-assistance services were designed for cases like this. Call a qualified electrician and let them handle it safely.’
