‘Too hot is too unhealthy’, docs warn of heating gadgets

Srinagar, Nov 27: ‘Too hot is too unhealthy,’ this is what the doctors in Kashmir suggest amid the intensifying cold in the valley creating a significant need for heating gadgets.
Dr Nasir Shamas, a consultant physician at JLNM Hospital Rainawari, Srinagar said winter is here and all the weapons and gadgets to fight the cold are out.
“These range from defensive heating armours to weapons of mass destruction as every heating arrangement has its dark side and is the reason behind many deadly fires in the congested neighborhoods,” he said.
He said saving energy bills isn’t the only criteria, save yourself, your family and the health of all those surrounding this gadget for the next three months.
“Hamaam, sitting rooms and the rooms where you spend your time with warmth around needs a thermo check. Buy a room thermometer from now. It is worth it,” the doctor said.
Dr Shamas said that people should keep some vents in Hamaam for fresh air and check it before every winter for any smoke leaks. “Allow temp rise up to 25 C only to be healthy. Too hot is too unhealthy. You can develop syncopes,” he said.
He suggested that the best way to use heating arrangements is to keep temperature regulation between 18 -25 C to avoid heat related complications.
About traditional fireplaces, the consultant physician said un-burnt wood is the culprit and exposure to wood-burning smoke can cause asthma attacks and bronchitis and also can aggravate heart and lung disease.
Dr Shamas said it has been seen that all LPG driven heaters are damaging. “Kids at home, elders having gas heater obsession have more allergies, cough wheeze and lung issues all winter. LPG gas heaters release noxious gases and chemicals into the atmosphere,” he said.
“Without a vent these gases including CO accumulate and give more problems than heat. So gas heaters load you with oxygen deprivation, gases of nitrogen and carbon monoxide. That’s why headache, red eyes, dizziness and nausea is there once you stay there for long,” he said.
The suggestions come amid the intensifying cold in the valley creating a significant market demand for electric gadgets like blowers, electric water bottles, rod heaters, room radiators etc.
Senior Physician, and Columnist, Dr Tasaduk Hussain Itoo said people should be alert and use the heating appliances with utmost care and keep children away.
“If you smell gas in your home or coming from your gas appliances, such as your furnace, stove, etc., do not light the appliances. Evacuate the home right away and call the local gas company and fire department if needed,” he said.
“Keep anything away that can burn especially, but not limited to, paper products, cardboard, gasoline, paint or paint thinners, wood scraps, old rags, and sawdust – at least 3 feet away from furnaces, boilers, fireplaces, wood stoves, wood furnaces, hot water heaters, or portable space heaters,” Itoo said.
He said parents should make sure that children stay away from flames and heaters and have a 3-foot “kid-free zone” around open flame and heating appliances to keep children safe.
“Only heat your home with the correct appliances. Never use your oven to heat your home. Leaving a gas oven open releases carbon monoxide into your home, increasing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning,” the doctor said.
As per them, people shouldn’t overcrowd electrical outlets and only connect a single heating device to a single electrical outlet at any given time as overloading electrical outlets increases the risk of shocks and fires.
“Don’t leave a candle unattended. Know the safety protocol for portable generators. It is recommended to place portable generators away from any windows and to keep them a good distance away from the home. This is because these generators release carbon monoxide, which you want to keep away from your home,” he said.
Itoo reminded that people should not skip the annual maintenance check-up of heating equipment and chimneys.
“Don’t leave space heaters unattended. Use the correct type of fuel for each appliance. Take advantage of fireplace screens. Know how to deal with ashes from wood-burning appliances,” he added.