Is the use of electric heater or blower harmful ?
This is a big question whether the use of electric heaters and blowers is safe or not? Many people say that there is harm in using them whereas some people negate this version. There are also some people who advise that using heaters and blowers with some precautions has no disadvantage. Let us discuss this issue because most of us would be displeased and feel uncomfortable during chilled winter season, if we are told that using heaters and blowers affects our health badly.
First of all, let us have some introduction to the electric heaters and blowers. Actually, the electric heaters and blowers are the electric devices that work by electrical resistance i.e. the electricity passes through a resistive element or register, making it glow and to produce heat. In other words, it can be said that heating through electric is a process in which electric energy or current is converted to heat energy. The production of heat through electrical resister is based on the principle of Joule heating. There are various use of electric heating like -room heating, cooking through heat, water heating and other industrial use of heating. Most of the electric heating devices use nichrome wire supported by ceramic insulators.
Now let us discuss the fact that why some people have in their mind that electric heaters and blowers have side effects and health hazards. According to some people the electric heaters and blowers cause dry air and also have potential to risk of fires. The electrics heaters tend to dry out the air inside the room and this may cause various problems to health like dry skin, itchy eyes etc. The glowing resistive element of a heater has also a fire hazard. At one hand, the room heaters and blowers warms the room inside the house on the other, they reduce the moisture contents of the air, making it dry. Often during the sleeping in bedrooms with electric heaters and blowers on, the breathing of dry air causes respiratory disorders like asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis and sometime nose bleeding due to dried membranes to some people. The mucus membrane is dried up by the dry air caused by heaters and blowers and traps all dust and infection causing agents resulting to their inflammation which can make some people prone to infections as the mucus membrane is damaged. As said above, lack of moisture in the air is harmful to the skin causing itchiness because the skin is already dry during the winter. Due to heaters and blowers running continuously inside the room the dry air evaporates the moisture from the skin of the body and also evaporates tears from the eyes making the eyes difficult to maintain the delicate balance of required moist in the eyes. There is also possibility of electro-magnetic pollution as electric heaters and blowers burn oxygen inside the room and due to which the oxygen level goes down and it can lead to suffocation to some people. Open coil heaters circulate the room air with contaminants like used air, air freshner, dust, and tiny fibres which can burn and cause unhealthy condition inside the room. Also, according to U. S. Consumer Product Safety Division reports that room heaters cause more than 25,000 fires and more than 300 deaths annually.
Let us now move to the opinions of other people who do not agree with the above contention. To some of the people, the above mentioned facts do not matter as they are not affected by such side effects or problems. However, these people also agree that the electric heaters and blowers are prone to fire incidents, burns, electrocutions in certain situations. However, they have the opinion that most of branded and standard heaters and blowers are safe having safety mechanism to avoid such accidents. Using local made low quality heaters and blowers may cause sparks and flames sometimes due to short circuits. However, with modern technology, the safety measures and better insulation are always there in branded electric devices. There is possibility of psychological reason because if a person after knowing that using heaters and blowers can cause health problem, uses the heaters and blowers but his mind keeps reminding this fact again and again and the person becomes uncomfortable even though nothing wrong had happened. This means that slowly the person becomes sensitive to the electric heaters and blowers and his mind starts accepting this facts and finally whenever some health problem occurs the person claims that cause of such problem was the use of heaters and blowers. Sometimes, claims of electro-magnetic pollution are also greatly exaggerated. The reason behind this, is that some health concerns existed in the past decades however there is no need to such health concerns as the technology has overcome such concerns.
The next important thing as we all know that every human being is different from other human beings in terms of physical, mental and spiritual capacity. Some people would like a thing and others may hate the same thing. Also, there are many things which are harmless to some people whereas to some people, the same things cause some problems. Therefore, it is very difficult to please all the people who have not equal in their habits, liking and physical or mental capacity.
Then, what should be kept in mind after knowing the above facts? All right, let us not worry, as taking precaution is just like maintaining safety standards, cleaning and maintenance, which not only increases the life of the electric devices we use but it ensures our good health, keeps our mind free from worries resulting our long life too. If you use branded and certified heaters with advance technology then not to worry but if low priced and local made heaters are used then also it can be alright if the following tips are kept in mind :-
i) Using branded or certified electric heaters and blowers is always good but if not affordable then do not be careless in using cheap and local made heaters.
ii) Sleeping just next to the electric heaters and blowers can cause fire in some situations to cloths and household articles therefore keep the heaters and blowers at safe distance while using them. Also, keep half open a window/ventilator so that no condition of suffocation may arise and oxygen level inside the room may be maintained.
iii) Use a humidifier/vaporiser which increases the moisture inside the room.
iv) Place bowls filled with water at 2-3 places inside the room while using electric heaters for long hours.
v) Keep drinking warm/hot fluids to keep nasal passage, airways and throats moist.
vi) Do not keep inflammable materials, papers, cloths, etc. near the electric heater.
vii) Inspect electric heaters and blowers before use and keep them clean and in good condition.
viii) Do not use the heaters and blowers keeping on wet & inflammable surface, carpets, wood/plastic furniture. Some portable lightweight are designed for flat surface and if surface is not flat such heaters do not turn on. However, if lightweight heater fall down it may cause shock or fire if handled improperly.
ix) Do not allow pet animals and children near the electric heaters & blowers to avoid any shock or burn.
x) Do not insert many plugs in the same socket in which the electric heater or blower is plugged in. Make sure that the heater is not plugged into the same power socket/multiplug with other electrical appliance. Always use wall socket for electric heaters and blowers.
xi) Never leave the electric heater unattended and prevent carbon mono-oxide poisoning by turning off the heater and unplug it before leaving room or going to bed. If there is symptoms of carbon-monoxide exposure like headache, dizziness, abdominal pain or discomfort, nausea, vomiting, and weakness switch off the heater.
Thus, the above mentioned facts can be kept in mind and from time to time the same can be revised as safety tips for keeping a good health. We should also share the above mentioned information to others so that we may make a safe surrounding and a safe world for all living things.
-Denie Darwin Bodra
The next important thing as we all know that every human being is different from other human beings in terms of physical, mental and spiritual capacity. Some people would like a thing and others may hate the same thing. Also, there are many things which are harmless to some people whereas to some people, the same things cause some problems. Therefore, it is very difficult to please all the people who have not equal in their habits, liking and physical or mental capacity.
Then, what should be kept in mind after knowing the above facts? All right, let us not worry, as taking precaution is just like maintaining safety standards, cleaning and maintenance, which not only increases the life of the electric devices we use but it ensures our good health, keeps our mind free from worries resulting our long life too. If you use branded and certified heaters with advance technology then not to worry but if low priced and local made heaters are used then also it can be alright if the following tips are kept in mind :-
i) Using branded or certified electric heaters and blowers is always good but if not affordable then do not be careless in using cheap and local made heaters.
ii) Sleeping just next to the electric heaters and blowers can cause fire in some situations to cloths and household articles therefore keep the heaters and blowers at safe distance while using them. Also, keep half open a window/ventilator so that no condition of suffocation may arise and oxygen level inside the room may be maintained.
iii) Use a humidifier/vaporiser which increases the moisture inside the room.
iv) Place bowls filled with water at 2-3 places inside the room while using electric heaters for long hours.
v) Keep drinking warm/hot fluids to keep nasal passage, airways and throats moist.
vi) Do not keep inflammable materials, papers, cloths, etc. near the electric heater.
vii) Inspect electric heaters and blowers before use and keep them clean and in good condition.
viii) Do not use the heaters and blowers keeping on wet & inflammable surface, carpets, wood/plastic furniture. Some portable lightweight are designed for flat surface and if surface is not flat such heaters do not turn on. However, if lightweight heater fall down it may cause shock or fire if handled improperly.
ix) Do not allow pet animals and children near the electric heaters & blowers to avoid any shock or burn.
x) Do not insert many plugs in the same socket in which the electric heater or blower is plugged in. Make sure that the heater is not plugged into the same power socket/multiplug with other electrical appliance. Always use wall socket for electric heaters and blowers.
xi) Never leave the electric heater unattended and prevent carbon mono-oxide poisoning by turning off the heater and unplug it before leaving room or going to bed. If there is symptoms of carbon-monoxide exposure like headache, dizziness, abdominal pain or discomfort, nausea, vomiting, and weakness switch off the heater.
Thus, the above mentioned facts can be kept in mind and from time to time the same can be revised as safety tips for keeping a good health. We should also share the above mentioned information to others so that we may make a safe surrounding and a safe world for all living things.
-Denie Darwin Bodra
