SPACE HEATER SAFETY TIPS
With temperatures falling during the cooler months, the use of space heaters increases, and the safety of space heaters require refreshment. While these devices may be very comfortable in heating rooms and small spaces, they can also pose security risks if misused. According to the National Fire Protection Association, most fires associated with household heating (86%) have been related to solid or moving space heaters during December, January, or February. 
If you have or are looking to buy a space heater for your home, here are safety tips to take for your space comfortability.
- Find space heaters approved for safety. When looking for space heating, choose the product that makes you feel confident that the manufacturer has met specific safety standards for home use.
- Buy an automatic shut-off space heater. The automatic shutdown is convenient. When the product is overheated, some heaters switch off and thus reduce the fire potential.
- Keep the heater at least 3 feet away from flammable items. The consumer product safety commission recommends that your heating system be kept at least three feet away from flammable objects like beds, curtains, furniture, papers, and other things that they cannot heat and fire.
- Place your heater on a flat surface. It is best to place your heater on a flat, smooth surface like the floor, where the risk of flame retardation and landing is lower.
- Don’t just leave the heater unattended. Even the slightest modification is not known sometimes until it is too late. Like the CBS WTOL fire department, Sterling Rahe said, “much fire, including from space heaters, has a common theme. ‘Things are unknown'”; therefore, do not leave your heating unattended.
- Plug your space heater into a wall outlet ONLY. Do not plug a space heater into an electric power strip or extension cord because its design cannot handle the energy needed to power the heater. If you plug the heater into this type of power supply, the strip can overheat and cause a fire.
- Maintain straightforward doorways and exits. Never block doorways or walkways with a space heater. Keep in mind the placement of your heater so there is always a clear emergency escape route. If a particular room needs to be heated, try using a wall outlet within the room instead of placing the heater at the entrance.
- Before going to bed, turn off your room heater. It’s easy to forget to turn off your heater when you are warm and cozy in your bed. Remember to turn off your heater before you go to bed.
- Don’t put your heater close to liquid. Never place a space heater near water or a water source, like a sink, a bath, or a shower; this avoids the risk of electrical shock.
- Install smoke detectors outside the rooms. Make sure that smoke detectors work appropriately throughout your home. Check the tester button for smoke alerts once a month so that everybody can respond.
Space heaters are not inherently harmful and can be used to heat your home safely when necessary. Just remember to follow these safety tips.
Absolute Air offers a wide array of services, including, but not limited to, AC installation, AC repair, heating installation, heating repair, metal fabrication (for all types of ductwork), refrigeration, and gas line installation. Our trained team of technicians can also service and work on equipment brands such as American Standard, Train, Carrier, York, Goodman, Rudd, and Mitsubishi, to name a few.
If you have a service request not mentioned here, give us a call.
