The recent death of two British residents of Cyprus, with a possible cause of the use of a gas heater, brings to the surface again the use of gas heaters, which are kept in the home of a large number of people.
However, LPG, either due to a problematic heater or due to its misuse by the owners, can be fatal, as has happened several times in the past. Especially when used during bedtime, or in small rooms.
The director of the Cyprus Electromechanical Service, Loukas Timotheou, stated that consumers must be vigilant and observe that for every device they buy, it meets the required safety standards.
"Under the law, the overall responsibility lies with the manufacturer and the trader who imports the product to Cyprus," he said. "What we do in the context of market surveillance, when and if we have a complaint, or in the context of a campaign of specific products in the market, is to go and check the devices.
People need to understand that the import of a product will not be banned. But the consumer must also be meticulous and check the markings of a device. "Not all products can be inspected, but he must also make sure that he has the required markings", he noted.
Mr. Timotheou noted that the Department of Electromechanical Services, as the Competent Authority for market surveillance in matters of safety of gas appliances, considers it useful to provide basic advice to consumers on the purchase and safe use of common gas heaters without a chimney. Referring to the special form of advice to consumers, provided by the Department.
As typically mentioned, LPG heaters must be marked with the following basic elements:
Finally, the heater must be equipped with:
- Flame monitoring device, which does not allow the flow of LPG, when there is no flame, and
- Carbon dioxide detector, so that in case of high concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the gas supply is cut off automatically.
Symptoms of poisoning
According to the Cyprus Electromechanical Service, it is particularly important to emphasize that during the operation of the heaters, various exhaust gases are produced, such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. These gases, which are colorless and odorless, can become dangerous to the health of consumers.
It is noted that the rate of production of pollutants depends on the capacity and size of the heater, as well as on its condition. The levels of pollutants that develop and accumulate in the room vary depending on the intensity of use of the heater, the size of the room and the adequacy of ventilation.
It is also stressed that high levels of pollutants can increase the chances of developing health problems in people with sensitive respiratory systems. Particularly in the case of old or out of order heaters which can malfunction, elevated levels of carbon monoxide can even cause death.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:
Never during sleep
To avoid unpleasant situations, such as exposure to pollutants, burns and fire, the Department of Electromechanical Services advises consumers and especially users of gas heaters such as:
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