Abu Dhabi Civil Defence warns of winter heating hazards in UAE

Abu Dhabi : As winter brings a drop in temperatures, keeping homes warm becomes necessary to ensure comfort and maintain a cosy and healthy atmosphere. This can be achieved by combining traditional and modern heating methods while following energy-saving tips.

The challenges of dealing with low temperatures and diverse heating methods increase, particularly in households with children during winter. As a result, there is an increased risk of fires and gas leaks during the winter season.

As part of the “Winter Safety Campaign,” the Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority has issued warnings about the dangers of unsafe indoor heating, especially using wood or charcoal. These methods can lead to the build-up of carbon monoxide (CO), also known as the “silent killer.” This colourless, odourless gas is undetectable and causes suffocation, potentially leading to fatal consequences when inhaled.

The authority emphasised that heating with wood or charcoal indoors poses significant risks to individual safety, particularly during sleep, as it increases the likelihood of suffocation or fires. They recommended following safety precautions when using such methods, such as using them in open or well-ventilated areas and ensuring they are fully extinguished after use.

The authority also encouraged households to opt for electric heaters as a safer alternative and to adhere to preventive measures, such as keeping heaters away from flammable materials like furniture and curtains, ensuring electrical wires are intact and not run under carpets, and keeping children from playing near heaters to avoid burns.

The authority warned against misusing heaters, such as using them for warming food, drying clothes, or burning incense, as these practices may result in fires. It advised turning off heating devices when leaving the room or going to sleep.

Guidelines for different heating methods
Kerosene heater
Never leave kerosene heaters on while sleeping to prevent increased levels of carbon dioxide and the build-up of toxic carbon monoxide, which replaces oxygen in the bloodstream, causing suffocation.

Avoid using kerosene heaters in bathrooms during showers, as it leads to the accumulation of toxic and suffocating gases from combustion.

Do not refill kerosene heaters while they are in use, as this can cause sudden flames, leading to a fire.

Electric heater
Avoid using exposed or poor-quality wires that could result in electrical short circuits.

Do not overload wires and electrical connections.

When purchasing an electric heater, opt for models with automatic shut-off features and those meeting quality and safety standards.

Wood heater
Ignite wood heaters outdoors until the wood burns completely and smoke dissipates, ensuring proper ventilation in the area.

Do not leave wood heaters indoors when not in use; extinguish them outdoors after use.

Gas heater
Inspect the hose connecting the gas cylinder to the heater and replace the gasket with every new cylinder. Additionally, ensure the valve is in good condition to reduce risks.

Before igniting a gas heater, check for gas leaks and ensure the cylinder is properly closed when the heater is turned off.

Risks of running heaters while sleeping
Suffocation: Heaters affect the air quality in the room during sleep, emitting small amounts of carbon monoxide. Prolonged exposure to this gas (more than three hours) reduces the sleeper’s ability to breathe naturally, leading to suffocation and increasing the risk of respiratory illnesses like asthma.

‘The silent killer’: Inhaling carbon monoxide during sleep can cause not only suffocation but also poisoning. The gas reacts with haemoglobin in the blood, forming carboxyhemoglobin, which prevents oxygen from reaching the body’s tissues and cells. This increases the risk of serious health problems such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, body pain, unconsciousness, and in severe cases, death.

Essential fire safety instructions for winter
Always keep a fire extinguisher in your home.

Ensure flammable items like clothes, blankets, or curtains are kept away from heaters.

Never leave heaters of any kind on while sleeping or when leaving the house.

Avoid using heaters for drying clothes, cooking, or boiling water.

Keep flammable items out of children’s reach and securely sealed.

Place heaters away from doorways and hallways.

Ensure regular ventilation in the house.

Unplug heaters, phone chargers, and electrical connections before sleeping.

Preparing children for home emergencies in winter

Regularly talk to your children about general safety, especially what to do in emergencies.

Ensure your children know how to contact Civil Defence in emergencies.

Reinforce safety concepts through fun and educational games.

Train your children on how to escape in case of a fire or other emergency.

Teach your children how to respond to fires to protect themselves effectively.

Explain to your children that fires spread quickly and that inhaling toxic smoke can pose significant risks.

The Civil Defence Authority emphasised the importance of cooperating with emergency teams by reporting incidents promptly via 999, giving way to rescue, firefighting, and ambulance vehicles, and avoiding crowding around accident sites to ensure swift responses and the safety of everyone.