Risk of fire decreases when space heaters are appropriately used

HEALTH & SAFETY

by Eloy Gomez

health and safety specialist

The short days and long nights are here, and with them, low overnight temperatures. A space heater can be an easy and effective way to warm your home, but space heaters come with some risks.

The National Fire Protection Association reports that space heaters are responsible for 43% of house fires and 85% of home heating fire deaths.

That’s the bad news. The good news is that the risk of a fire goes down substantially if you are aware of and follow the space heater safety tips below. These suggestions will help keep you, your family, neighbors and your unit safe.

Check the space heater’s safety certifications.

Choose a space heater with a safety certification label from a respected independent testing organization, such as Underwriters Laboratories, Intertek or CSA Group.

Make sure the space heater has safety features.

Choose a space heater that automatically shuts off when it starts to overheat or tips over, as that will help minimize any risk of an accidental house fire.

Don’t use extension cords and power strips.

Extension cords and power strips can overheat and cause a fire when connected to a space heater. Play it safe by plugging your space heater directly into a wall outlet.

Place the space heater out of harm’s way.

Keep space heaters at least three feet away from anything flammable, such as curtains, rugs, beds, recliners and clothes.

Also, avoid placing space heaters on carpet or in hightraffic areas where they could become tripping hazards.

Keep kids and pets away from space heaters.

Place space heaters where young children and pets can’t get to them. Consider putting your heater behind a child-proof gate, if necessary.

Place space heaters on a level surface.

Space heaters should be placed on flat, level floor surfaces to avoid dangerous tip-overs.

Don’t hide space heater

cords.

Running a space heater’s cord under a rug, carpet or piece of furniture poses a fire risk. Keep them out in the open.

Turn off your space heater when you can’t monitor it.

Power down your space heater before you go to sleep.

Always make sure you are in the same room as the space heater or are at least able to keep an eye on it while it’s running.

Get rid of space heaters running too hot.

If your space heater or its power cord is hot to the touch, turn it off and unplug it as soon as possible.

Don’t plug in the space heater again until you’ve had an appliance repair person check it out. Or, if you’ve had the space heater for a while, consider replacing it.

Do not donate the overheating space heater to a charity or put it outside for free.

Regularly inspect your space heater.

Immediately replace any space heater with a cracked or frayed cord, damaged prongs or loose connections.

Ovens, stovetops, and toaster ovens are not designed to be used as heaters.

Do not use any other heat producing appliances to heat your unit.

These heat producing appliances are prone to catching fire when used as a home heating device.