‘Heater-related accidents still an issue despite awareness efforts’

AMMAN — The Civil Defence Department (CDD) on Monday said accidents related to the misuse of heaters continue and result in several deaths and injuries.

In a statement, the CDD said it carries out several campaigns to raise awareness and issues instructions through media outlets on precautions to be taken when using heaters; however, these incidents are increasingly taking place.

On Sunday, two brothers died of carbon monoxide poisoning at their family home in the capital, the CDD said.

The incident was caused by the apparent misuse of a kerosene heater.

The CDD’s media office called on citizens to avoid certain wrongful behaviours when using heaters that would lead to accidents such as home fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.

The office urged homeowners to perform periodic maintenance of heaters, ensure the proper ventilation of their homes, and not to fill heaters while they are on.

The public is also urged not to use heaters for cooking or heating water as the food and beverages might spill and cause burns. 

Moreover, homeowners should not leave heaters on while sleeping. 

The department called for keeping an eye on children when heaters are on and not allowing them to play close to them. 

Heaters must also not be used in bathrooms, the CDD statement said.

The department noted the importance of checking the gas hose in the heater and the gas cylinder, warning against placing heaters in narrow aisles or near curtains or electricity cords.

In the period between November 2015 and January 2016, 75 accidents related to heaters resulted in the death of 17 people and caused 187 injuries, the CDD said earlier this year.

A CDD official said the majority of the accidents were caused by gas heaters, followed by wooden and coal stoves, and finally kerosene heaters.