While visiting an elderly friend, their relative came for a visit. She and I were shocked to learn that her aunt was using the oven for a heater. The worst part is there was old food in the containers on the stove, plastic bags filled with food, and an container of olive oil laying on its side over the open oven where it had been knocked over. My friend did not realize that the plastic knobs on her oven could melt (they were right above the door in the front), nor did she realize that plastics have high BTU and combust at lower temperatures than other things and could have set the place on fire. She also didn't realize that using the oven to heat her home increases the amount of carbon dioxide in her home, giving her the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Why was she using the heater? Her heater wouldn't work.
The use of ovens for heating IS NOT recommended. Use a portable heater if you can, or an electric blanket. Even heating something in your oven and taking it out to set it on a cutting board is more preferable to using the oven to heat your home.
If your heater's pilot light has gone out, contact your gas company and they should relight it for you free of charge (mine does for free, but ask). If it is a mechanical failure of the system, have a technician check the furnace.
Be safe this winter and make sure your friends and family are too. For more information on the dangers of using the oven as a heater because of carbon monoxide poisoning see the CDC website. (Link below.)
http://www.cdc.gov/co/faqs.htm
http://ota.dc.gov/release/dangers-using-your-stove-home-heating
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