Keep warm but safe this winter

That is the message behind an education campaign launched this week which aims to raise awareness about the possible harmful effects of using unflued gas heaters. Tairawhiti District Health, Gisborne District Council and energy efficiency organisation Energy Options have joined forces to get the message out that using an unflued gas heater the wrong way can be hazardous to your health.

Staff from each of the three groups will be out and about over the next month educating the community and encouraging people to take part in a survey which aims to identify the extent to which unflued gas heaters are used in the Tairawhiti district. And there is a $3000 prize up for grabs just for taking part.

Tairawhiti District Health Protection Officer Cathy Walker said it was important people knew of the health risks associated with indoor air pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide that unflued gas heaters produced. They also produced water vapour that could affect people’s health by increasing the spread of mould and dust mites.

Mrs Walker said an Australian study found that the air pollutants pose a significant health risk to children, pregnant women, elderly people and those with asthma or heart disease if they build up in a room. “High levels can be dangerous for everyone,” she said. "The warning should not be taken lightly. Carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide are both difficult to detect through smell or taste, but exposure to high levels of these pollutants can be harmful."

"People with asthma are particularly susceptible to the effects of nitrogen dioxide and should minimise exposure to this type of heater. Exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide can affect anyone, resulting in tiredness, shortness of breath, headaches, dizziness, nausea, weakness, confusion and in extreme cases death," she said. To reduce exposure to the air pollutants, people who use unflued gas heaters should take the following steps:

·         ensure the room that the heater is in is well ventilated by having internal doors open and at least one window to allow fresh air to enter the room;

·         don't use an unflued gas heater in a room where people sleep, in a bathroom, caravan or tent;

·         only use an unflued gas heater for short periods of time;

·         for fixed appliances, make sure your heater is installed by a licensed gas fitter;

·         read and follow any instructions for the use of the appliance;

·         don't do any maintenance on an unflued gas heater yourself

·         make sure your unflued gas heater is serviced by a qualified person at least once a year. Heaters that are not in good working order can release higher amounts of pollutants into the home.

Mrs Walker said people wanting to know more about using unflued gas heaters safely could attend one of the public displays this month.

The displays will be outside The Warehouse on May 11, 25 and 29; Pak ‘n Save on May  12, 26 and 27, Bunnings on May 15, 22 and 29;  at Kaiti Mall on May 13 and 20; and at the Heartlands day in Ruatoria on May 19. There would be information pamphlets available as well as the chance to fill in the survey and go into the draw to win a $3000 heating or insulation package from Energy Options.

Fact box info

What is an unflued gas heater?

An unflued gas heater burns gas to produce heat and has no flue or chimney to carry the combustion products outside or away.  Some are portable and are plugged into a gas outlet through a wall or floor socket with a flexible hose, or may be LPG cabinet heaters.  Others may be fixed to a wall.  Patio heaters are another type of unflued gas heater.  These should NEVER be used indoors.

Who should be extra careful about using unflued gas heating?

•    People with heart disease or asthma

•    Pregnant women

•    Elderly people

•    Children