Space Heater Precautions

2/1/2022 (Permalink)

Space Heaters need to be used correctly.

SPACE HEATER DANGERS:

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, space heaters are the leading cause of house fires each year. With projected increases in the average utility bill, consumers invest in alternative heating options. Space heaters can be an excellent source for heating only when used properly. We wanted to provide critical insights into protecting your household from a space heater fire.

• Space Heater Should Stay on the Floor:
  • The recent temperatures being bitterly cold outside has left many people using heating alternatives. When you get home after a long day at work, it is understandable that you will want to feel as comfortable and warm as possible. Some people might even place the space heater right next to them to feel the heat immediately. You have to consider items in the general area of the heater to ensure that they aren’t heating to an unsafe temperature. Be very mindful of all the different fabrics that would catch fire fast, and you should move it to a spot out of the direct flow of heat.
• Place away from water:
  • Science lesson repeat; water and electricity create unsafe conditions, especially when water touches an electric heater causing it to short out. When this happens, it creates a dangerous spark which can cause the heater to catch flames. We suggest keeping the space heater out of the bathroom and kitchen.
• Plug into the wall directly:
  • Put down that extension cord and plug that space heater directly into the wall! Cords can create dangerous conditions when someone tries to cover them with a rug or a piece of furniture. When someone plugs a heater into an extension cord, it adds extra electrical connections, increasing your chance of creating resistances. This is a problem because the more resistance, the more energy, which means more heat. When it gets plugged into an extension cord, you are allowing the increase in energy to heat surrounding items that have the opportunity to create a fire. When plugging a heater into the wall, you will want to perform a 3-foot check or ensure nothing that can start a fire is within a 3 ft radius of the heater.

We aren’t telling you not to use space heaters as a heating alternative, but we do ask that you follow these easy steps to ensure your household is safe and warm!