Heater accidents continue despite awareness campaigns

By Suzanna Goussous - Dec 07,2015 - Last updated at Dec 07,2015

Families are advised to keep their homes ventilated when using heaters to avoid gas inhalation or carbon monoxide poisoning

AMMAN — Despite several awareness campaigns organised by the Civil Defence Department (CDD), its cadres still deal with heater-related accidents during winter, CDD Media Director Brig. Gen. Farid Sharaa said Monday.

He noted that one person died and seven were injured on Monday due to the improper use of heaters.

In Karak, 140km south of the capital, two Egyptians were among the victims of heater accidents; one of them died a few hours later, while the second is in “critical condition”, Sharaa told The Jordan Times.

He explained that the incident involving the guest workers was related to the misuse of a fireplace.

In another incident Monday morning in Baqaa, 25km north of Amman, a family suffered breathing problems after inhaling gas from a heater.

All members of the family, consisting of four children under the age of 18 and their parents aged 38 and 39 years, were transported to Prince Hussein Public Hospital, and they are currently in “fair condition”, according to Sharaa.

He said the CDD highlights important facts about the proper use of heaters every year; however, many people are still in danger of gas inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning.

“This is a recurring problem — deaths and injuries happen every year,” Sharaa said. “Last winter, the department recorded 23 deaths and 307 injuries around Jordan.”

He also noted that 109 of the injuries last year occurred during snowstorms.

Sharaa urged the public not to keep kerosene and gas heaters on for a long periods, and to make sure the hose connected to the gas cylinder is attached correctly and is not worn out.

“The hose must be replaced regularly, since many incidents occur because families are usually inattentive to it and the gas leaks, which endangers their lives,” he said.

The CDD officer stressed the importance of not relying on children to replace gas cylinders and of keeping the heaters away from small rooms, such as kitchens and bedrooms, noting that the stairwell is the best place to place them.

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