INDIANA – It’s that time of year again—hot cocoa, fuzzy socks, and of course, space heaters. Space heaters are a quick, convenient heat source powered by electricity. They can be used in many situations due to their small size and portability.
Keeping a garage, basement, or shed warm can be much easier using a space heater, but here are some simple safety measures to keep you and your family safe this winter.
1. Keep it at least 3 feet from anything flammable.
The leading cause of space heaters igniting fires is placing them too close to flammable objects. It is a heat source, so placing a unit near something that will burn – like a couch, curtains, or papers – risks fire. Keeping the space heater on a flat, stable surface is also important.
2. Don’t leave it unattended.
It only makes sense that you want the heat going as long as the cold blows, but that is a significant risk with space heaters. When you can’t pay attention to the space heater – whether you’re sleeping or leaving the room – you need to turn the heater off.
3. Keep children and pets out of reach.
Just as you would not leave a candle within reach of children or curious pets, the same goes for space heaters. It’s recommended to keep your heater elevated so children or pets won’t accidentally burn themselves. If you have ever had a cat, you know there are few places they can’t get to. In homes with feline acrobats, place a barrier around the heater to keep them away and still allow ventilation.
4. Plug it directly into the outlet.
Aside from contact with flammable objects, a big risk of fire is using surge protectors with a space heater. If the heater is plugged directly into the outlet, you can be sure the outlet is rated for it. A surge protector may not be equipped to handle the power needed for the space heater and can cause a fire if it becomes overwhelmed.
5. Make sure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working.
Even if you’re as careful as possible, sometimes things can go wrong. The first line of defense is maintaining working fire alarms.
Testing fire and carbon monoxide alarms every month is important to ensure they are working. Also, check and replace their batteries. Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless but can be dangerous, meaning it may be hard to tell when it’s harming those in the home. Carbon monoxide can be a big concern in the winter months. People who don’t have central heating often try to stay warm using their oven, sitting in their running car, or bringing their grills in – all of which are potentially hazardous.
6. Look for signs of malfunction.
Fortunately, more modern space heaters often have safety functions that cause them to shut down when they aren’t working properly, but older models don’t work that way. One big sign to look out for is the color of the flames on gas heaters. A blue flame is normal, but an orange flame means that it’s not working properly and should be turned off immediately.
Staying warm through the winter is important for safety as well as comfort, and for some people, space heaters may be the best way to do that. Taking precautions and using them properly can add another layer of comfort, knowing that you are being as safe as possible.
