Srinagar, Nov. 29 -- When Fareeda didn't respond to the treatment, she was rushed to SMHS Hospital where she found many patients like her. Most of them were using the heating blowers frequently.

YEARS after linking prolonged use of Kashmir's traditional firepot with malignancy, medicos have now gagged modern heating-gadgets for their proximate use during winters.

The medical advisory of sorts has come amid the intensifying cold in the valley creating a significant market demand for electric blankets, heaters, blowers, electric water bottles, rod heaters, room radiators and other gadgets. In fact, to keep cold at bay, some people are even installing electric hamams in their homes.

However, the medical experts warn that people need to ta...