How to Safely Use Space Heaters During Cold Weather

Space heaters combine indoor warmth with the convenience of portability. They are a common remedy for cold spots inside a house, and they help keep operating costs low. Compared with the expense of making major alterations to your home to add more heating, space heaters can be a real bargain and a help when it comes to filling in a few chilly zones.

However, along with the advantages of these small, portable units, there are certain concerns relating to safe operation of space heaters. Here are some of the safety issues to keep in mind when operating a space heater.

• First of all, make sure you purchase a space heater with a seal of approval from one of the recognized consumer-product testing organizations, such as Underwriters Laboratories.
• When shopping, be sure to get a heater that incorporates a thermostat, protection against overheating, and an auto-shut-off function to turn the unit off if it tips over.
• Before using the space heater, be sure you read the manufacturer’s instructions, as well as any warning labels that came with the unit.
• For fire safety, always place the heater at least 3 feet away from any flammable objects on all sides, including people. Make sure the heater is on a flat, solid surface. Never place a heater on a chair, table, or other furniture.
• A space heater should not be placed in the path of foot traffic, nor immediately in front of an exit door.
• A space heater must plug in directly into the wall outlet. Never use an extension cord. Don’t plug any other electrical devices into the same outlet with the heater.
• The heater should be used only to heat small areas of a room. Do not use it for other purposes like drying a wet rug or clothing, thawing frozen pipes, or cooking.
• Before leaving the room or going to bed, turn the unit off and unplug it from the wall outlet.

Get more information about the safe use of space heaters from the  professionals at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning.