Tuesday 04 January 2011:
MoI warns against the risks of electric water heaters
Brig. Mohammed Saleh Badda Al Awadhi, Acting Director of Public Relations Department at the Ministry of Interior, warned against the misuse of electric water heaters used in the houses, kitchens and cafes.
“When the heater is bought, people should make sure that all its parts are in a good working condition, including the thermostat, heat regulator, safety pin and the light indicator”, he confirmed.
If misused, heaters are very dangerous, and any failure will result into huge loss in the lives and the economy, he said. Heaters are used in every home, and most probably they are mounted at the corners of kitchens and toilets, and unless they are properly fixed and used, they might pose a real threat to our safety, he added.
He went on saying that, the weather in the UAE is moderate, and thus heater temperature should not exceed 70 degrees C, and we should always ensure that the thermostat is working properly and that heaters contain all control and protection parts.
Before winter, he said, people have to get their heaters properly maintained, and make sure that pipes and water connections are changed.
He pointed out that, the life time of heaters should not be more than 5 years disregarding their external condition. Therefore, he added, people have to be aware of the causes of heater explosion, which are mainly attributed to a defect in the insulator, or blockage or damage in the safety pin or that the heater had corroded.