In all the continents of the earth, man has sort ways to warm himself, especially in the Northern Hemisphere, Europe, Russia, the Far East and the Middle East. These are more or less the regions of the world that experience winters for a given number of months during the year. In the early centuries, man discovered fire and has used it ever since to cook, warm himself and protect himself against the dangerous wild animals that used to roam the wild in those days. Fire is readily available in nature and all man had to do was feed it with firewood which was also readily available.
If we fast forward to the 20th and 21st century, man still needs to warm himself and fire is still widely used. But now there are electric heaters and gas heaters. In the West and many other parts of the world,. electric heaters and gas heaters have almost taken over from fire heaters although these are still widely used. Fire, is reliable and cheap to start and get going and is available in the outdoors where there is no electricity or gas. In recent times, gas heaters have also become very widespread especially in the US, Europe, Russia, many parts of China and even Latin America. Gas is distributed via a vast network of pipes that are run and maintained by huge utility companies and service companies. So gas is pumped into many homes much the same way as electricity or phone service is served and the residents of those homes receive a bill every month for the service. But are gas heaters safe in comparison to electric heaters and firewood heaters?
Gas heaters are very safe. When we look at the basic ways in which it is obtained, we see that it comes through secure pipes in-built into the house. All the resident has to do is turn on the burner and light it and the house is evently warmed. With firewood on the other hand, one has to get wood or coal to keep the fire going. This can be purchased but also if in the outdoor, one has to get out and chop the wood, a task that can be dangerous if you are not accustomed to it.
Firewood heaters also release smoke particles in the air which when inhaled can be a health hazard by causing lung complications. This has the same effect as cigarette smoke. The smoke from these fireplaces also linger around the house and is absorbed by the walls, clothes, furniture, ceiling and curtains giving the house a "smoky" and murky smell that is very hard to disseminate. Soot is also a byproduct of smoke and can ruin beautiful ceilings and walls. Gas heaters are the solution to this as they release little or no smoke.
Electric heaters are also common but there is a danger of getting an electric shock if there is a fault or short circuit in the system.
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