Recently, a netizen posted on Weibo that placing an electric heater less than 30 centimeters from a sofa caused the sofa to catch fire within minutes.
Every winter, reports of accidents involving space heaters, electric blankets, and hand warmers surface repeatedly. Why do people never seem to learn?The reality is that some areas lack central heating, some homes have insufficient warmth, and hands get cold outdoors—naturally prompting people to seek ways to stay warm. There's nothing wrong with meeting these needs, but we must do everything possible to eliminate safety hazards and use products that pose no health risks.
What safety and health concerns arise when using electric heaters?
1. For infants: "Infants and toddlers grow rapidly and require more energy per unit of body weight than adults, especially more water per unit of body weight.However, infants' thermoregulatory systems are underdeveloped, making their body temperatures susceptible to environmental fluctuations. Electric blankets heat rapidly, causing bed temperatures to rise sharply. This leads to a sudden increase in the infant's body temperature, resulting in significant water loss through the skin and respiratory tract. Prolonged exposure can easily cause dehydration. Dehydration further elevates body temperature, creating a vicious cycle that manifests as "dehydration fever."Occasional dehydration fever is not life-threatening, but frequent episodes can hinder infant growth and potentially cause irreversible brain damage due to electrolyte imbalance. Infants also have poor bladder and bowel control; bedwetting can lead to electric blanket leakage, with potentially disastrous consequences.
2. For the elderly: Many seniors habitually use electric blankets in winter. However, Xu Huijuan, Director of Dermatology at Nanjing First Hospital, notes that prolonged use can easily lead to dermatitis in the elderly.
Elderly skin is inherently drier in winter. Prolonged electric blanket use accelerates moisture loss, exacerbating dryness. Additionally, heat atoms can irritate the skin, causing allergies, itching, or rashes of varying sizes that may bleed if scratched.Most elderly individuals who use electric blankets long-term experience these symptoms, often starting with back itching, accompanied by a dry throat and difficulty sleeping.
What precautions should be taken for safe electric heater use?
First, carefully read the instruction manual. It's crucial to thoroughly review the manual for small appliances, especially electric heaters. Beyond product specifications, manuals contain essential usage guidelines and safety precautions. Users should never skip reading the manual, even if the product seems simple or familiar.
Second, thoroughly inspect the heater's plug, power cord, and connection points before use. Check for exposed wires or loose connections. If any issues are found, refrain from using the appliance immediately. Exposed wiring poses a serious electric shock hazard. Contact the retailer promptly to arrange a replacement.High-quality products often feature insulated protective caps over switches to prevent electric shock hazards. After connecting to power, start at the lowest setting. This allows the unit to warm up gradually. Immediately turning it to maximum can damage the unit and may cause dangerous current surges. Crucially, always turn off the power switch before unplugging the unit when not in use. This minimizes risks.
Fourth, the heater must be plugged into a certified three-prong grounded outlet to prevent electric shock hazards. Due to its high power consumption, avoid using it simultaneously with other high-wattage appliances, welding machines, or impact drills. Keep the power cord away from the top of the unit to prevent overheating and potential damage to the wiring, which could lead to accidents.
Fifth, the top surface of the heater becomes very hot during operation. Never cover it with any items, especially clothing or quilts. Covering the heater prevents heat dissipation, posing a risk of overheating, motor burnout, and fire.
Sixth, position the heater in an out-of-the-way location, away from combustible materials and open flames. If the heater is waterproof, exercise extreme caution with its plug socket. While the heater body may be waterproof, the socket itself poses a hazard. When using in bathrooms, it is advisable to keep the plug outside the bathroom.
Seventh, oil-filled radiators must never be placed at an angle or upside down.Oil-filled radiators must be used in an upright position. They cannot be placed upside down because they heat the surrounding thermal oil through heating elements at the bottom. This heated oil then circulates through the heat transfer tubes to distribute warmth. Placing the radiator upside down, flat, or at an angle will cause dry heating, damaging the heat transfer tubes.If oil leakage, unusual noises, or other abnormalities occur during use, stop operating the heater immediately. Contact the manufacturer's service department promptly for professional repair. Do not attempt disassembly yourself. Ninth, avoid using gasoline to clean the appliance. Wipe it down with a soft cloth dampened in household detergent or soapy water. Never use solvents like gasoline, as they may damage the casing, affect its appearance, or cause rusting.