Abstract: An apparatus for controlling illuminating lamps. Ambient light of the surroundings is sensed, and a timer is turned on when the ambient light falls below a predetermined level. When the timer times out, the illuminating lamps are turned on provided that the ambient light is still below a predetermined level. A second timer is activated which turns the illuminating lamps off automatically a predetermined time after they are turned on regardless of the ambient light level. Before the lamps are turned off, a warning signal is issued to allow people using the illumination time to leave. The warning may be audible or may comprise flashing or dimming the illuminating lamps for a predetermined time. The intensity of each illuminating lamp can be independently varied to accommodate different lighting requirements.

Abstract: A kerosene heating stove is equipped with a temperature sensor and a carbonic oxide sensor. The temperature of a space is maintained at a constant level by automatically increasing and decreasing the burning length of a wick in the kerosene heating stove to change the height of the heating flame. The carbonic oxide sensor automatically generates an alarm and decreases the length of the wick to extinguish the flame if the concentration of carbonic oxide in the space increases to a predetermined dangerous level. In another embodiment, a kerosene heating stove is provided with a humidifier which automatically permits water to flow into an evaporating container in proximity to the flame when the moisture content of the air in the space falls below a predetermined level in order to regulate the moisture content of the air.