Top 10 Space Heater Safety Tips
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Even in central Alabama, it can get chilly this time of year. Many people rely on space heaters to keep their homes warm and cozy. However, portable heaters can cause fires and other safety concerns if not used properly. This guide provides tips on how to keep you safe while using space heaters to warm your home.
Space heaters provide extra warmth in a drafty or chilly room, but the safety risks are substantial. According to the US Fire Administration, fires caused by portable heaters cause 65 deaths and 150 injuries per year. The National Fire Protection Association reports that two in five space heater-related deaths are caused by portable electric space heaters.
If you choose to rely on a portable heater for additional heat, it’s important to make safety a priority. These tips will make all the difference in keeping you warm and safe while using a space heater.
1. Keep your space heater at least three feet away from anything flammable.
Placing space heaters too close to flammable objects—such as curtains, paper, sofas, bedding, and clothing—is the leading cause of portable heater-related fires. A taller heater may need to be even further than three feet away from flammable items.
Be sure to also keep people and pets at a safe distance from the heater. Never place a space heater in a child’s room. It’s a good idea to place a barrier around your space heater to avoid the curious hands of children or prying paws of pets. However, be sure to leave room for ventilation between the barrier and the space heater.
Keep space heaters out of the way of foot traffic. Never block an exit.
2. Never leave your space heater unattended.
It’s a huge risk to leave your space heater unattended. If you leave the room or are sleeping, it’s best to turn the heater off.
3. Ensure that you have good ventilation around the space heater.
Experts recommend using a ceiling fan or other fan to ensure there is proper ventilation and air circulation in the room in which you use a space heater.
4. Purchase a heater with the seal of a qualified testing laboratory.
Not all space heaters are created equally. Many have been thoroughly tested for safety. Be sure you check the packaging to be sure the one you purchase has been certified by a qualified testing laboratory.
5. Plug your electric space heater directly into the wall outlet.
Many homeowners think it’s okay to plug an electric space heater into a surge protector or extension cord. This is not advised. Plug your space heater directly into a wall outlet and be sure it’s the only object connected to that power strip.
Unplug the heater when it’s not in use by pulling the plug straight from the outlet. Check the cord for damage periodically, and don’t use the heater if the cord is frayed or worn.
6. Make sure your home has a working smoke and carbon monoxide alarm.
Maintain your working fire alarms. Test both fire and carbon monoxide alarms every month and replace their batteries often. Carbon monoxide is especially concerning during the winter months.
Install working smoke alarms on every level of your home and in every bedroom.
7. Ensure that your space heater is functioning properly.
In recent years, manufacturers have made space heaters with safety functions that cause them to shut down when they are not working properly. However, older models may not have this feature. Check the color of the flames on gas heaters—blue flame is normal, but an orange flame is an indicator that the heater should be shut off immediately.
8. Place your space heater on a solid, flat surface.
Even though some space heaters will automatically shut off when tipped over, it’s a good idea to keep the heater on a solid, flat, nonflammable surface. These appliances are intended to sit on the floor, not on a table.
9. Never use a space heater in a workshop or garage.
Workshops and garages often store flammable items such as paint, gas cans, matches, automobiles, and grills. It may seem like a no-brainer, but this is a very unsafe environment for space heaters.
10. Choose a heater with a thermostat and overheat protection.
Manufacturers continue to add features to portable heating appliances that make them safer for use in homes. For extra safety, pay a little more for a space heater that has additional safety features.
Staying warm through the winter is important for safety as well as comfort, and for some people space heaters may be the best way to do that. Taking precautions and using them properly can add another layer of comfort.
Shop for Electric, Natural, and Propane Gas Heaters for Your Home
Whether it’s a portable heater to warm your space through the winter of a wall-mounted gas heater to handle an entire floor of your home, Fountain Building Supply has everything you need to keep your home well-heated. Explore our selection of natural and propane heaters and shut-off valves.
Rely on Fountain Building Supply for all your home’s building supplies.
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