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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To leave blow heaters on overnight in my dc's bedrooms?

121 replies

Barbielovesken · 14/12/2011 15:31

Is this a fire hazard/ dangerous? would it be unreasonable to do so?. Im aware this isnt really an aibu but Im quite worried and need advice and know here gets the most traffic.

Our damn boiler broke last night (oil) the house was freezing we have back up in a solid fuel stove that heats the radiators but it would appear that the circulation pump is also on the blink and the rads arent been heated. The kitchen and sitting room are quite cosy downstairs (where the stove is) when it got going but it is sooo cold upstairs.

We cant get a plumber today - we've tried. Our usual one is 3 hours away working for a few days but can get to ours tomorrow to sort it.

Im worried about tonight - we've 3 dcs (6yrs, 22 months and 6 months). Im in work today and they are in CMs right now but I dont know what to do later. Ill light up a big fire downstairs but last night dd2's room was 12 degrees Shock(hers has the monitor in it) I think it'll be even colder tonight as the heating upstairs been gone longer, if that makes sense - I think it was retaining some heat from the morning before it broke. Also its been snowing again here today. I had them all in fleece zip up pjs, extra quilts and dressing gowns etc..(dd2 in a 2.5 tog gro bag).

I kept checking them all last night and they slept peacefully but dd2's little hands and face were so cold to touch.

I have a few blow heaters/ can borrow some off my mum too so was thinking of leaving one on all night in each room. Is that irresponsible or ok to do?

Other than that, I could move all dc and things to my mums and we all stay there tonight? she has room and its warm - itll just be a huge hassle. (work and school and cm drop off in the morn)

OP posts:
Witchofthenorth · 14/12/2011 15:50

I echo everyone else, no blow heaters! I remember being younger and waking up wit ice on the inside of the windows. We just had extra blankets and wore loads of layers to bed.

I think we are all slightly spoilt these days with central heating!!

When our boilers goes which it inevitably does at the coldest point of winter every bloody year, we all just sleep together with lots of blankets and clues. Kids think its great fun :)

minouminou · 14/12/2011 15:50

Oh how horrible, Rudeawakening.
I just don't like those heaters at all.

How are your widows, OP? Double-glazed? If not, how about getting some of that cellophane stuff that you seal on with a hairdryer? Just until the boiler is repaired.

Another poster mentioned dampness, so do keep a good fire going and doors open while you're awake, and use the blow heaters for a short while at bedtime. I'd also remove the heater from the eldest's room after lights out, just in case she thinks she's "helping" by turning it on after lights out.

Witchofthenorth · 14/12/2011 15:50

Clues??? Meant clothes!

brighthair · 14/12/2011 15:50

Good idea to pop the coldest one in your bed - although maybe not for you Grin
Just keep an eye, lots of warming food and drink too. As I say we had that power cut, I don't remember much of it. Mum and dad were fine but after 4 days she said I was almost blue and I got packed off to stay with a friend

Original poster
Barbielovesken · 14/12/2011 15:51

Thanks everyone.

Ok, I was probably being a little dramatic then Blush. Its just Im quite a cold creature and have heating on a lot - this is freezing to me and I was worrying about them (as I was so cold, kept thinking how they must have been).

Im so stupid - never thought of heating rooms before bed for an hour (thank you) and opening doors to let heat circulate upstairs. Really helpful - thanks folks.

Im expecting it to be colder tonight, mind Sad

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Original poster
Barbielovesken · 14/12/2011 15:51

Grimmathenone sorry to hear you're having these problems too!! Sad wouldnt bloody happen in Summer

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GlueSticksEverywhere · 14/12/2011 15:53

I used to have those blow heaters in my bedroom as a child and had constant sore throats and cracked and sore itchy skin from where I sat too close to them. I didn't realise they were a fire risk as well Shock

RumourOfAHurricane · 14/12/2011 15:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

pigsinmud · 14/12/2011 15:55

Not too cold for us. Never have heating on at night - seems a waste of money as we're tucked up in bed! Certainly wouldn't leave blow heaters on at night.

Ephiny · 14/12/2011 15:55

12 degree is what we usually set the thermostat to at night, so I agree that any colder than that would be pretty chilly! But I would't use the fan heaters all night, because of the fire risk and the fact that surely that would cost a fortune in electricity. If you can manage with blankets/hoodies/hot water bottles etc, that would be better.

I wouldn't be bothering with baths unless essential!

GrimmaTheNome · 14/12/2011 15:55

Ah well, I learned how to deal with cold growing up - no central heating. Smile And my DD is 12 so big enough not to worry in the same way you do with littlies.

The dog was a pain though, kept having to get out to flap his ears and then pretending he couldn't jump back up. If its not fixed tonight he'll be back downstairs with his coat on!

rubyrubyruby · 14/12/2011 15:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

minouminou · 14/12/2011 15:56

I know what you mean, though, OP. Myself and DS are positively Polar - my ideal temp for indoors is about 10C....I'm quite happy in a t-shirt and no socks in that, and so is DS....anything above 18C and we're TOO HOT. DD and DP, on the other hand.......and poor old DD has the coldest box room in the house - exposed on two sides. She sleeps in a onesie, then a fleece sleep-suit and a grobag and she's just fine, despite being a committed thermophile!

Original poster
Barbielovesken · 14/12/2011 15:56

Back of the neck? Thanks Valium - will do.

Witchofthenorth I completely agree - think we're probably a bit spoiled with level of heat.

Minouminou windows are double glazed - the house is only 4 years old (we built) and they are well sealed (as I helped!!!) and the house as a whole is well insulated (beading pumped into wall cavity etc).

I just thought that maybe dd2 in particular wouldnt be able to heat herself in the way that we can

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PigletJohn · 14/12/2011 15:57

You can get oil-filled electric convection heaters that look a bit like old-fashioned radiators. They aren't a fire hazard as they have no exposed element and are not so hot. Although they are hot like a mug of tea, they are not hot enough to burn you if you accidentally brush against one. They usually have thermostats so you can set them for modest comfort. And they don't blow dust about.

GrimmaTheNome · 14/12/2011 15:57

We usually leave it on but with the thermostat turned down - its not that much cooler than usual but it is quite noticable.

Ephiny · 14/12/2011 15:57

And from what you've said, it sounds like the children slept well and were fine, you were the one feeling cold and worrying about it :) Make sure you wrap up warm yourself!

Original poster
Barbielovesken · 14/12/2011 15:59

We dont usually have the heating on all night either but have it on for an hour at night and then timer set for an hour before we get up. It was so cold this morning that when I walked on floors upstairs (with socks on) I could feel the icyiness straight to my feet (no carpets, wooden floors as dd1 is asthmatic)

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glastocat · 14/12/2011 16:00

People leave their heating on at night? Really? I'm a cold person, but I couldn't sleep if I did that. Sure aren't you in a nice warm bed already?

GrimmaTheNome · 14/12/2011 16:00

Yes, we used to have some of those oil-filled heaters (previous house had a conservatory, they were for keeping it above freezing in winter) - weirdly seem to have disappeared from garage, we can't remember lending or disposing of them. They are a good form of backup heating.

Original poster
Barbielovesken · 14/12/2011 16:00

My nose was icy cold in bed last night Grin

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Original poster
Barbielovesken · 14/12/2011 16:01

It really was... Sad

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LauraIngallsWilder · 14/12/2011 16:01

Also it would cost a fortune surely?
A thermostatically controlled oil filled radiator is a better vet but I woulnt use it in a room I wasn't in. (and not at night)

12 degrees really isn't that cold. I mentioned daytime solutions as I'm at home in the day with mine. I switch the heating off when our monitor says it's above 16. And never have the heating on for more than a few hours anyway.

You just have to get into a different way of thinking. It's winter so therefore it's cold even indoors.
Drink lots of warm drinks. Wear thermals under your clothes or fleece suit over your pj's and make fleece ponchos (cut one blanket in half, sew up the sides and top leaving arm holes and head hole- I got stripey fleece blankets from dunelm mill, they are brilliant and took hardly any time to make)

Having watched the Attenborough programme about the people that live I. the arctic I'm thankful I don't!!

Poledra · 14/12/2011 16:01

Actually, where are you, barbie? I have 2 oil-filled radiators from when our boiler packed up in winter a couple of years ago... PM me if you're in the East of England

Original poster
Barbielovesken · 14/12/2011 16:02

Laura you've just reminded me that dd1 has a "snuggy". Ill root that out for tonight..

I know it would cost a fortune but If it kept them from freezing their wee bums off I wouldnt care

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