Use Your Space Heater Safely

While the weather this season is warmer than normal, you might want to pull out the space heater so you don’t have to run your heater quite yet. Space heaters are a great way to centralize heat in your home. If not properly used, electric shock and fire could occur. Consider the area of the house the space heater will be utilized most to pick one that will be most effective for the space. To ensure your space heater meets safety requirements, make sure it is certified by a nationally recognized laboratory.

Space Heater Safety Tips

• Plug directly into an outlet. A portable space heater plugged into an extension cord will increase the chance of a fire or other hazardous situations.
• Switch off. Make sure you turn off your space heater before you leave the area. Even though newer space heaters have an automatic “off” after a certain amount of time, always turn off before you leave. This will ensure the unit is off and problems won’t happen.
• Unplug the unit. The unit might be off but you should still unplug the unit especially when you are not home. When you leave the unit plugged in while away, there is still a risk of a hazardous situation happening.
• Keep away from water. Avoid using a space heater in the bathroom or in other humid rooms. A damp or wet area can cause electrical shock. Also, do not touch the space heater when wet.
• Keep away from flammables. Do not put your space heater anywhere close to something that is flammable. Drapes, furniture, curtains, blankets or newspaper should be avoided. The portable heater makes it easy for these materials to catch on fire.
• Don’t use as a main source of heat. A portable space heater is not a replacement for not using your HVAC heating system. That much constant use will be bad for the unit, its efficiency and the increases dangerous problems.