With the cost of energy bills increasing for many households recently, some people are turning to other sources of heating in order to try and save money, for example portable gas and paraffin heaters.
We strongly advise against using these types of heaters which are not advised for your safety as they can be incredibly dangerous. If you feel you need additional heating there are safer alternatives such as oil filled electric radiators, however it is important to take care that these are working correctly and are safe to use.
What are the dangers of using alternative sources of heating like paraffin or portable gas heaters?
Paraffin and portable bottled gas heaters can be dangerous and more expensive to run than you may think, so it is strongly advised these are avoided. The gas or fuel used in these types of heaters is very flammable even in small amounts, which can be ignited well away from the source of a leak. Leaks can also put you at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Due to being highly flammable, using heaters like this requires more ventilation than you would normally require, which leads to the temperature in your home dropping.
Additionally, as part of your tenancy as a LiveWest customer you must not use or keep at your property (including in any store, shed or garage) any dangerous or inflammable materials, equipment, liquid or gases except those you would normally need for household purposes.
You can find more information on gas safety here.
Mini heaters
Plug in mini heaters are becoming a more common way for people to heat specific areas of their home. However, this has resulted in counterfeit or unsafe models being advertised online, which can put you at risk of fire.
Care should be taken when purchasing these heaters, especially online. Products should come with a British Standard and CE Mark.
You should also take steps to reduce your risk, for example ensuring plugs are safe, the heaters are positioned away from children and pets, and they are not left unattended when switched on or left running overnight.
What support is available if you are struggling with your bills?
If you are worried about your financial situation, there is information on the wide range of support available on the cost of living section of our website. This includes what help we can offer, the support the Government are offering and also details of other charities and organisations that may be able to help depending on your situation.
We also have the energy advice section of our website, which contains lots of information to help you save money on your bills, cut down on your energy usage and more.