Electric Space Heater Safety Tips for Your Home

An electric space heater can be helpful in heating up your home. But if not used correctly, it can be the cause of fire and injuries.

Here are some safety tips to use an electric space heater

Electrical Space Heater Safety Tips:

• Always read the owner’s manual for specific details on proper operation and maintenance of your particular space heater. If you do not feel comfortable with repairing the unit yourself, contact a professional for assistance. Never take shortcuts! Accidents happen when people rush! Be Patient! Keep children and pets away from any appliance that has high or low surface temperatures; hot coils or wires; moving parts; sharp edges; flammable surfaces (curtains, furniture or is producing toxic fumes (carbon monoxide). Be sure to always turn off the heater if you are leaving the room or going to sleep. Check your smoke detector! Install a carbon monoxide detector if you are using fuel-burning appliances such as oil, kerosene or gas heaters.
• Do not plug space heaters into an extension cord or power strip that can easily be unplugged from the outlet by someone else (children playing around, etc.). The heater is plugged directly into a wall receptacle and cannot be removed without unplugging it first.
• Unplug and safely place away after use and before cleaning. Allow at least three feet of clear space on all sides of the appliance so airflow is not restricted in any way. Keep the unit away from furniture and draperies.

• Many appliances include a tip-over shut-off switch that automatically shuts off the appliance if it is accidentally knocked over or pulled out of its normal position. This feature can reduce the risk of possible fire and injury, but is not designed with child safety in mind: young children may still be able to reach and play with your heater. Therefore, adult supervision with small children is required when an electric heater is used. Keep electrical cords away from high traffic areas where they might get damaged or frayed. Do not place objects such as toys on top of the power cord (especially one that has been chewed on by pets) and never run it under rugs.
• Do not use space heaters to dry wet clothing or shoes. Not only are they a fire hazard, but they can also cause electrical shock. Dry clothes outside or use the dryer inside.
• Portable electric space heaters should be plug directly into a wall outlet and never an extension cord. Power strip or multi-outlet strip unless absolutely necessary. Make sure your unit is equipped with circuit protection. To ensure that it will not draw more amperage than allow by the circuit’s fuse or breaker capacity. Look for the UL symbol of approval on the unit itself – these are certified units conforming to safety standards set by Underwriters Laboratories (UL).

• Keep children away from all heating appliances, especially portable kerosene heaters. Never allow children to tamper with or operate fuel-burning appliances. – Never use your appliance with an extension cord unless absolutely necessary.
• Use only heavy-duty three-wire cords marked as suitable for outdoor use if you plan on operating your heater outdoors.
• Unplug the unit before cleaning with a standard household vacuum cleaner or brush attachment, which can damage the heating element inside of the unit. A regular cloth and damp rag should always be use to clean off dust and dirt buildup from exterior surfaces of the unit; never spray water directly onto any surface of the unit. (Note: do not clean electric heaters with a steam cleaner). If you notice anything unusual such as strange odors, sparks, smoke or melting on any part of the heater’s outer casing, shut off the power immediately and discontinue use.
• Use extreme caution if you are using an extension cord to feed the heater with electricity from a different room or area of your home. The added distance can result in voltage drops that may cause overheating, which could potentially lead to fire hazards.
• If you plan on leaving your space heater unattended for any period of time. Turn it off completely so no one will accidentally bump into it while passing by. And never ever leave children unattended in a room with an operating space heater! – Keep combustible materials at least three feet away from all sides of the appliance if possible. Some combustion sources that are close enough to ignite wood paneling or drywall. Include burning cigarettes or cigars, grills, candles or incense, fireplaces and other improperly adjusted wood-burning stoves.

Conclusion:    

When using a space heater, be sure to combine safety and common sense. Exercise all necessary precautions. And follow the recommended guidelines. And you will be able to avoid most risks of personal injury or property damage.

Space on all sides of the appliance so airflow is not restricting in any way. Keep the unit away from furniture and draperies. Many appliances include a tip-over shut-off switch that automatically shuts off the appliance. If it is accidentally knock out over or pulled out of its normal position. This feature can reduce the risk of possible fire and injury. But is not design with child safety in mind. Young children may still be able to reach and play with your heater.