I hesitate to discuss such a topic as opinions will vary wildly across the board, but this is a question most often asked, so let us discuss it.

I also hesitate to make this statement, as it may offend some although that is not my intent, please take it in it's context only, as in "think about it".

"Kerosene heaters are only as safe as the people who use them" in saying this, I mean you have open flames, and some intense surface temperatures, come on folks, we have to use some common sense.

Using Kerosene heaters indoors can be a rewarding experience. Many of the heaters out there allow you to view the flame while it is in use, and on a cold winters day there is little more comforting than a hot cup of coffee, hot chocolate, bowl of soup, etc., and let us not forget the warming glow of a flame!!!

Kerosene heaters can be safely used indoors, and here I am going to offer some tips, and cautions about using Kerosene heaters indoors, that I hope you will find helpful.

#1. CARBON MONOXIDE

Yes Kerosene heaters produce Carbon Monoxide, so do gas stoves, candles, oil lamps, etc. Some heaters produce more than others, and the amount of emissions produced by any one heater may vary depending on the heaters condition. So, service your heater, keep it clean, and make sure it is in peak operating condition at all times.

When using a Kerosene heater you do need to provide it with adequate fresh air, investing in a carbon monoxide detector would not be a waste of money. Do Not close yourself up in a single room with a Kerosene heater, keep adjacent rooms, and doors open. If your house is very air tight (newer homes) you need to crack open a window, maybe leave a flue open on your fire place if you have one, this creates a natural draw, continiously circulating fresh air.

There are add on filters available to use on your heater that will reduce it's emissions, email me if you have questions about such items.

#2. FIRE HAZZARDS

This topic falls somewhat under my beginning statement, this is where common sense comes in. Kerosene heaters create very high surface temperatures, therefore they need not be too close to items that can be considered combustable such as furniture, drapes, papers, walls, etc. you get the point. I recomend a good 24"- 36" clearance all around a convection type heater (the round ones) for safety purposes. Do not set pans of anything on top of your heater unattended that may boil over into your heater. If your heater does not have a drip tray, it is not a bad idea to have a metal pan of some sort to sit it on. Kerosene is not a volitile fuel, meaning it is not really explosive, it has a relatively high flash point. Kerosene needs a media or heat for combustion. Something soaked in kerosene will redily light easily when a flame is applied, such as a wick, wood, carpet, a chair, rope, etc, a media, something soaked in kerosene will burn easily, now heat, kerosene heated becomes much more volitile, meaning vapors can more easily be ignited, example a heater that has just been put out, and you immediately attempt to relight, it will relight with a poof, as the temperatures there at the wick are at their flash point, make sense. If your heater gets turned off, or goes out, do not attempt to relight for 15-20 min.

#3. DANGER IN MIXING FUELS.

Never use a gasoline can for Kerosene, what ever type of container you use make sure it is clearly marked, and has had only Kerosene in it. It takes very little gasoline mixed with kerosene to create an unpleasant, and dangerous explosion. Be weary of fuel additives, some of these can become dangerous as well if used in improper amounts. Alternative fuels are available, but do your research, make sure they are safe. I use only K-1 Kerosene in my heaters.

#4. DON'T LET THE CHILDREN GET BURNED, OR YOU EITHER!!!

Kerosene heaters produce very high surface temperatures, many of the newer heaters provide cages to help  reduce the risks, but even the cages get very hot, and will burn you. Talk to your children, and keep the heater where it will not be tripped over when in use, keep it out of high traffic areas. Many of you reading this may have intentions of using older heaters, or are using older heaters, many of witch do not have any safety features, or cages to prevent burns, so again 1st statement use common sense.

#5. HEATERS WITH SAFETY'S / WITHOUT SAFETY'S?

There are alot of people out there collecting, and using vintage heaters. There are risks involved, as back when these heaters were made the manufacturers were not so worried about lawsuits based on human error, they expected their products to be used with common sense. Therefore many of the older heaters are not eqquipped with anti tip over devices, cages to prevent terrible burns, etc. knock one of them over you will have a fire, touch one of them while in use, you will have a terrible burn. I will say this again, keep your heater out of danger zones such as high traffic areas, so no one, pets, or children, would be likely to knock it over. Make sure the heater is sitting level, and if it is sitting on a non flamable surface (bonus).

#6 REFUELING

Consider refueling outdoors, this prevents spilling of fuel on your floors, carpet, table, etc. find something that makes refilling easy for you such as siphon pumps, smaller light weight cans w/ flexable hoses, etc. large cumbersome containers can make refilling a chore. It is difficult I know to be moving some of the barbaric heavy heaters of today in or outside for filling, and none of the large convection types offer removable tanks. You can make a stable roll around cart to sit your heater on if you have one of these heavy models. If you spill fuel, clean up your mess immediately.

#7 STORING FUEL

I don't recomend keeping containers of kerosene indoors even though I am guilty of it. It is best to keep it in a garage, or shed. I keep small quantities indoors in plastic containers (sealed) and have a large storage tank outdoors in the barn.

Keep your fuel in airtight containers, prefreably plastic in construction, and try to keep them in an area not subject to dramatic temperature changes. Keep your storage containers out of the sunlight. Follow this, and your kerosene will keep quite some time despite popular beliefe.

#8 DON'T LEAVE A LIT HEATER UNATTENDED

I don't recomend leaving the house with any heater lit, If there should be a malfunction then there would be no one there to notice it, or deal with it, so I don't think leaving a heater alone is a good idea. I don't believe you need to sit in the same room with it at all times, but you do need to be relatively close. When a heater begins to malfunction it can generally be smelled, so if you are in the house with it, you should be ok.

#9 CAN I LEAVE ONE BURNING ALL NIGHT

Touchy topic here, opinions will vary wildly, but here is what I think. Yes you can leave a heater burning all night, but here is what you must do.

If you are leaving a heater burning all night:

1. Use a heater you are familar with, you know is in good condition, and you trust it, meaning it does not give you problems.

2. Make sure you are allowing the heater adequate ventilation, don't close it up in the bedroom with you, or in a bathroom, etc.

3. Make sure you have a working smoke alarm you CAN hear, and a carbon monoxide detector is a good idea as well.

4. Make sure you, your kids, etc. are educated on how to get out, and you have a way to get out should a catastrophie should occur.

5. I am not saying all of this to frighten you about kerosene heaters, I use them, and love them, but all of these things should be thought about, weighed, and discussed, this way we can all use them, and enjoy them safely.

IN CLOSING

Back to my first statement, if you use your heater with common sense, take care of it, and keep it in good working order, you can expect many years of good dependable warm service from your heater. I have successfully heated my home for the past 12 years with Perfection, and Aladdin Blue Flame heaters, none of witch incorporate any modern technology. I personally prefer, and like best the old heaters, most are small, light weight, are easily moved from room to room, and easily maintained. If you have questions, or would like to discuss any of the above topics with me please feel free to email me, I am always here, and glad to help.