Winter geyser safety: what to check before switching on, to avoid shocks, bursts and gas poisoning

The cold has begun to be felt in Maharashtra, and it is time to start using bathroom geysers again. In winter, people often rush to switch on the geyser as soon as they enter the bathroom. Haste can land one in trouble, as is well known. Every winter, incidents such as geysers bursting, short circuits and suffocation caused by gas geysers are reported.

Geysers are generally not used in summer. They stay switched off for several months, and debris and dust collect inside. Many people ignore this, which can lead to accidents. For the safety of oneself and one's family, it is important to keep a few things in mind.

First, do not keep the geyser on while bathing. Many people switch it on before going into the bathroom and leave it on while bathing. This habit can be very dangerous. If the geyser's heating element develops a fault or the wiring inside leaks, there is a risk of a direct electric shock through the water. Once the water is hot, switch the geyser off fully at the main switch before going to bathe.

In many homes the geyser stays on continuously from morning till afternoon so that everyone can bathe at their convenience. But continuous running can damage its thermostat. If excess pressure builds up inside, the tank can burst. Run the geyser for 15 to 20 minutes only when needed and switch it off immediately.

Second, take care when using a gas geyser. To save on electricity bills, many homes now have LPG-run gas geysers. Once on, such a geyser draws oxygen from the bathroom quickly to keep its flame burning, and in the process releases toxic gases such as carbon monoxide.

This gas is odourless and invisible. If the bathroom is small and has no window or exhaust fan for ventilation, a person can suffocate within a few minutes while bathing, and may sometimes even lose consciousness. If a gas geyser is to be used, keep a window or exhaust fan in the bathroom for ventilation, or take only the water pipeline into the bathroom. If the bathroom is small, try to install the main unit of the gas geyser outside it, in an open space.

Third, before using the geyser for the first time in winter, it is advisable to call a technician and have it serviced. Have the geyser's pressure release valve and auto-cut feature checked, since this feature switches the geyser off automatically once the water reaches a set temperature. Also use a power plug and MCB rated for heavy loads, rather than a light or ordinary switch, for the geyser.