Defective Kerosene Heaters Attorneys

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), 19 percent of the 150 non-fire, carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning deaths in 2003 and 2004 related to heating systems were attributable to incidents involving kerosene, wood, coal or oil heating or a heating system where the fuel type was not specified. And, according to the National Fuel Funds Network (NFFN), a 501(c)(3) non profit organization "promoting and advocating for home energy assistance resources," “portable kerosene heaters have the highest fire death rate relative to the number of households that use them.”

In fact, because of the potential hazards of using kerosene heaters, many jurisdictions outlaw or restrict their use. New Jersey, for instance, only allow kerosene heaters to be used in one and two family homes. In West Milford, New Jersey, kerosene heaters are outlawed outright.

Following are some of the potential hazards kerosene heaters present:

• Fire - common causes are operating the heater too close to draperies, furniture, or other combustibles, filling the tank while the heater is lit or still hot, and accidentally knocking over a lit heater.
• Burns - can result through direct contact with the heater or if clothes catch on fire. Children and pets should be kept at a safe distance from an operating heater.
• Explosion - use of fuel other than water-clear 1 K grade kerosene or operating the heater in the presence of combustible fumes can result in an explosion.
• Indoor air pollution - if the heater's production of CO accumulates, this invisible, odorless gas can cause death without warning. Its production of other gases such as carbon, nitrogen, and sulphur dioxides can be particularly harmful to those with cardiovascular disease, pregnant women, asthmatics, children, and the elderly.
• Asphyxiation - as the heater operates in a small room or inadequately ventilated area, its consumption of oxygen can reduce it to dangerously low levels.

Many experts seem to be especially concerned with the dangerous use of gasoline in kerosene heaters. They advise consumers to buy and store kerosene in clearly marked metal containers that are not red in color. All fuel containers should also be kept out of the reach of children.

But even when taking proper precautions, any of the hazards listed above may still be present when using a defective heater, or if operating instructions are not clear or incorrect. An all too common cause of fires and explosions is a kerosene heater's wick that is not set to the proper height.

If you are not clear on any aspect of how to properly operate your kerosene heater, ask the supplier or manufacturer prior to operating it. You should also go to the CPSC's recall alert search and regularly check if your kerosene heater has been recalled (select “Kerosene/Propane/Wood Heaters”).

If you or a loved one has been killed or injured in a kerosene heater related accident, you may be entitled to compensation. To find out if such is the case, you may wish to cconsult with a qualified personal injury or product liability attorney.