Space Heater Safety Tips This Winter

Winter is here and it can certainly become quite cold in Tennessee which, often times, leads homeowners and families to plug in their favorite space heater to add comfort to their living space.

When the outside temperatures begin to fall, it only makes perfect sense that individuals look to whatever resources they have to stay warm and toasty. For many, the use of a portable space heater is often the heating option of choice, especially in those areas of your home that may not be as evenly heated as other rooms. One of these handy heaters is indeed an ideal option for warming any room in the house, whether the kitchen, home office, bathroom or bedroom. However, if you are going to be using these electronic heat producers throughout your home, it is important you know exactly how to operate them both efficiently and safely.

A FIRE HAZARD FOR SURE

Statistics from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission tell us that there are anywhere from 20,000 to 30,000 home fires every year that are the result of space heaters that are faulty or improperly used by family members. For this reason, Gervais Electric would like to offer a few important tips and ideal practices for using portable heaters in your home.

IMPORTANT YET PRACTICAL TIPS

• Be sure that your portable heater is equipped with a number of safety features including, but not limited to, auto turn off when the heater is either tilted, is not level, tips over or excessive heat levels are detected. Most newer model portable heaters will come with these safety features.
• Never use an extension cord with your space heater since many of them actually draw more power than the extension cord or power strip you may plug it into can handle. If you do plug your heater into a power strip, over time, it may cause sparks and/or a fire.
• Be sure you place your portable heater on a hard surface that is non-flammable. You want to ensure that the heater is level and stable while operating to avoid it from tipping over. It is important you also put the heater in a place that is away from your typical walking traffic, and that you ensure there is an absolute clear buffer all around it. It is best to maintain a radius of about three feet around the heater to avoid pets or children from coming in contact with it and knocking it over. Also, be sure to never place your portable heater near curtains, drapes, bedding, cloth furniture, or on any type of carpeting.
• Position your heater to heat those small areas where you feel you need the additional heat. More times than not it makes good sense to position your space heater on the floor rather than on a table or counter since heat, as we all know, rises.
• The cord that comes with the heater must never be put under a rug, carpeting and or covering of any kind. The cords with the heaters are rated for open air.
• Finally, make certain you place our portable heater in a dry place and far away from any water. With that said, be especially careful when using your little trusty heaters in areas such as the laundry room and bathrooms, where moisture and water are typically present.

THE PROFESSIONALS YOU CAN TRUST

When using portable heaters be sure to use them wisely and with a great amount of care. Surely, they can contribute to a warmer, cozy environment in your home. But if improperly used, space heaters can lead to some very dangerous situations. For more tips or information on the proper use of space heaters, call Gervais Electric. As you begin to use or purchase space heaters in these cold winter months, be sure to take every precaution possible in order to keep your home and family safe!