A space heater is a convenient option to warm up cold spots in your house during the winter. Often, a home may have specific areas that may not receive sufficient furnace heating and that are simply chronically chilly. Other areas only need extra heating at specific times. These small heaters are portable and easily handled to bring extra heat into a chilly zone of the home.
However, convenience and comfort should never take precedence over home safety. Statistics show that space heaters can be a frequent source of residential fires — about 1,700 homes a year are damaged or destroyed due to unsafe use of these heaters. Here are some factors for safely using a space heater.
- Shop for safety. These heaters should include basic safety options, including a tip-over switch that turns off the unit automatically if it turns over and construction that ensures the heater surface cannot overheat and ignite nearby flammable objects.
- Situate the heater securely. Make sure the heater is on a solid, level surface that is not flammable. Also, most full-size portable heaters are designed to be placed on the floor only — never on a table or countertop.
- Pick a safe spot. The heaters should always be placed a minimum of 3 feet from any flammable materials, including furniture, curtains, and bedding.
- Turn it off. Don’t leave the heater running when you leave the room. Also, always turn off a bedroom heater when you are ready to go to sleep.
- Pay attention to electrical issues. Don’t use an extension cord with space heaters. You should plug the unit’s power cord directly into the wall outlet. Also, don’t plug any other devices into the same wall outlet alongside the heater. Inspect the heater’s electrical cord regularly for signs of fraying, cracks, or melting.
- Install smoke alarms and maintain them regularly. Smoke alarms should be placed on each level of the house and in all bedrooms. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and test these units every month.
For more information about selecting and operating a space heater safely, consult the pros at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning.
Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area