Use of Paraffin Heaters and Health Issues

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santaman2000

M.A.B (Mad About Bushcraft)
Jan 15, 2011
16,909
1,114
67
Florida
.....ps never try to put out a paraffin fire with water. i grew up being taught this in a time when people still used heaters, but fear it's falling out of common knowledge, even my insurance company insists that i carry a water fire extinguisher. i can assure you that paraffin does float on water and will spread as far the edge of said water with incredible ease, just as your grandad warned you.....

Yep. You should use either a Class B extinguisher or a multi class one. There is a safe way to extinguish flammable liquids with water (at least on small fires) but it takes specialized training. Albeit said training isn't really difficult.
 

GGTBod

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Mar 28, 2014
3,209
26
1
2 years back i lost an old school friend due to a paraffin heater he used in his van whilst working away, he had the windows open a bit thinking he had created enough ventilation before he fell asleep/passed out due to co2 suffocation, worst part was he was 32 and had been using those type of heaters since he was a kid and was very aware of the safety precautions.
 

mrcharly

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Jan 25, 2011
3,257
44
North Yorkshire, UK
That's very sad, GGTBod.

I used to live on a boat and used paraffin lamps. Not the basic 'hurricane' lanterns, but fancy brass things.

'lamp oil' (more refined paraffin) gave of considerably less soot than basic paraffin. All of the lamps had good wicks, and kept adjusted right would burn with a bright blue flame.
 

cbr6fs

Native
Mar 30, 2011
1,620
0
Athens, Greece
We used paraffin burners in the garage many many years ago and yes it gave off a black soot, it was a thin film over most objects near the burner and we'd all have dirty black soot coming out of our noses as well.

We figured it was from the cars, but after we replaced it with a electric heater the garage and our noses never had this soot again.

It's the same with log burners though, folks seem to be using them as some sort of fashion thing now days, yet the about of harmful particulates they put out is terrible.


For me personally i'd sooner just use a electric fire or put on another layer of clothing, but then i've never really been one for following fashion or romantic notions.
 

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