I was at Farm & Fleet and noticed that Colman is marketing thier small cat heater in a nylon sholder bag with 2 space blankets as an emergency kit. I didn't open the package to see what type of instructions or warning were provided, but my first reaction was to wonder how many folks may end up hurt, sick or worse from improper use.

Willie:
I checked the instruction sheet at a local sporting goods store. I found the instructions were written in several languages and that they clearly stated a minimum of 3 square inches were required for safe operation and the unit only raises the temperature within the vehicle 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Unless you have a better way of trapping heat at 40 degrees below, you still have a temperature of below 0 F. Now having said all of that…How many people will actually read the instructions? Like you, I share that concern.
Stargazer

ASAP: Always Suspicious Always Prepared.

Catalytic heaters, candles, or other heat sources inside a closed space such as a car bring dangers. They also bring heat. If someone is trapped in their car in winter a heat boost of 20 degrees is very helpful. If they don't handle it correctly they die of CO poisoning, burn up, or get serious burns. If they don't use it they die of hypothermia. Dead is dead. OTOH, if something like this or a can or sterno or a NuWick candle is used correctly it may stave off hypothermia for a time which may be sufficient to allow them to be rescued. As with all tools the hazard is not the tool but the fool.