Say No to Excessive Use of Heaters

They say that winters are the most romantic weather, when you can find your best moments. Perhaps a cup of coffee or a long conversation by the fireplace is enough to ignite the romanticism in you. Winters are filled with fun, fancies and fascinations.

But, the winters can really give you a tough time. Winter is the time when the risk of deadly diseases like heart attack, stroke, respiratory problems and flu, get heightened up. The ever plummeting temperatures in the winter have the power to freeze the whole bio-system. We cannot migrate or go on hibernation therefore we have to deal with the gruesome minus degrees by the use of heat convectors and heat radiators. We generally know these as ‘heaters’.

Heaters make the most loved electrical equipment in the winter, of course after water geysers. We use them excessively in this season, just to keep ourselves warm and moving. We use them day and night, 24/7. But, do you know that the excess use of heaters can give you heart attacks. Surprised!

Scientists, across the world, have found out that a prolonged exposure of heaters dries out the moisture within us and affect our body adversely.

• It exhausts the moisture – It is one of the most common issues faced due to the overuse of heaters. The air that comes from the heater dries the natural moisture present in the air around us. “Increase in the room temperature by using heaters compromises with the moisture content of the room and that can be dangerous,” says Dr. N.P. Singh, Director of Medicine, Max Hospital. This dry air is very harmful, especially for those who have a sensitive skin. Dry air leads to dryness and roughness, in turn leading to skin rashes and nose bleeds.

• It increases the toxicity in the air and affects respiration – Heaters release harmful gases like carbon monoxide, which are quite detrimental to the asthmatic patients and those with some other respiratory issues. Excessive levels of carbon monoxide in the room can badly affect the heart patients, which generally cause the angina pain. “Over exposure to the harmful air results in shortness of breath, headaches, dizziness, confusion and in some cases, obnoxious air can lead to death due to asphyxiation,” explained Dr. Singh. It’s better to choose heaters with an inbuilt chimney, that helps with ventilation and provides fresh air.

• It increases the risk of accidental burns – Burns by an accidental touch can be very harmful.
  

• It poses a risk for the eyes – Keeping lenses or spectacles near the burning heater can affect your eyes when you use them later. As the heat affects the molecular composition of the lens chemical, it may result in the corneal tissue burns or damage.

• It brings fluctuation in temperature – Coming in or going out from a place where the heater is being used, can bring a sudden fluctuation in the body temperature. That fluctuating temperature can be very harmful to the immune system, causing cold and flu.

Therefore, it is very important to take certain necessary precautions while using heaters.

Precautions to be taken while using room heaters and blowers

• Heaters and blowers absorb the moisture from the air and increases dryness in the room. Keep a bowl of water in the corner of the room while using a heater. It will work like a vaporiser and maintain the moisture level.
• Do not overheat the room. Try to set the heater temperature at a normal level to avoid the sudden fluctuation.
  
  
• Keep at least one window open while using heat convectors and open doors and windows after a particular interval of time to allow the fresh circulation of air.
• Keep your heater checked and serviced at least twice a year. It will help to ensure that the tubes, coils and the bands are functioning well, so as to avoid any release of carbon monoxide. “Use room heaters with thermostat only or you can go for fan heaters/blowers and set them at a lower temperature”, advises Dr. Singh.
  
  

Also, it is advised not to depend only on the heat radiators. You should go out to make the best use of the natural sunlight for keeping your body warm and getting a good amount of vitamin D.

Have a happy and safe winters!

Image Courtesy: airtechhvac, mrright, highya, digitalvpr, news24.