Editorial | Mindful Use of Heating Gadgets

As another harsh winter closes in on Kashmir, the Valley prepares once again for sub-zero nights, heavy snowfall, and long stretches of power uncertainty. In these months, heating gadgets become more than conveniences, they turn into lifelines. From electric heaters to gas bukharis, from blowers to kangris, every household depends on some form of warmth to endure the bitter chill. Yet, with this dependence comes a recurring and painful truth, far too many tragedies in recent years have resulted from the careless or uninformed use of these very devices. Fires sparked by electric overload, asphyxiation due to poor ventilation, and cylinder mishandling have claimed precious lives across Valley, leaving behind devastated families and raising urgent questions about safety awareness. What makes these incidents particularly heartbreaking is that almost all of them were preventable. In a region where winter is a long, predictable reality, the conversation around heating safety should be ingrained in public consciousness, not revisited only after disasters strike. The first step must be collective responsibility. Authorities need to play a more proactive role in issuing winter safety advisories well in advance, not as perfunctory statements but as sustained campaigns across media, schools, community spaces and digital platforms. Simple reminders such as avoiding overnight use of room heaters, ensuring cross-ventilation while using gas-based appliances, checking wiring for wear and tear, and keeping fire extinguishers or sand buckets at home can save lives. But responsibility does not rest with the government alone. Households, too, must internalise safe practices as part of winter preparation including periodic inspection of heating devices, avoiding makeshift fixes, and discouraging reliance on substandard or uncertified appliances often sold cheaply in local markets. The culture of complacency “nothing will happen” needs to give way to a culture of caution. Equally important is community awareness. Neighbours often serve as the first responders in Kashmir’s mohallas, educating entire localities about emergency steps, helpline numbers, and basic fire-safety responses can significantly reduce fatalities. Winter in Kashmir is unforgiving, but tragedies need not be inevitable. As the Valley braces itself for months of cold, warmth must be sought with mindfulness. Safety, after all, is the first and most essential shelter we owe ourselves and our families.