Space Heater Safety
If used properly, space heaters can provide temporary relief during a cold spell, but they should
not be considered a permanent solution to a home heating problem. They're too dangerous. The
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that every year space heaters are
associated with more than 25,000 residential fires and 300 fatalities.
To minimize the risk of fire while using a space heater, read and follow the manufacturer's
operating instructions.
Space Heater Safety Tips
• Buy a space heater that has been certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.
• Keep all furniture and combustible items at least three feet away from any heating device.
• Never use space heaters to dry clothing, towels or other combustibles.
• Never refill a fuel-burning space heater while it's on or inside your house.
• Space heaters should not be left on while you are asleep or leave the room.
• When not in use, space heaters should be unplugged.
• Do not connect a space heater to an outlet with an extension cord, and never overload the
circuit.
• Never use a space heater with a damaged or frayed cord, and never cover the cord with
carpeting or furniture.
• Be sure your space heater is in good working condition and that the heating element is
protected by a metal guard.
• Keep young children away from space heaters.
• Avoid using electric space heaters in a bathroom, and never touch an electric heater when
you are wet.
• Make sure that your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working before using a
space heater.
• Check the cord on an electric space heater to determine if it is very warm or hot. If so,
unplug it immediately and try another outlet. If it continues to be hot, contact an electrician.
REMEMBER:
Space heaters are a great way to warm up a cold room or provide some supplemental heat to
your house. However, while undoubtedly convenient, a space heater can also be dangerous. In
fact according to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), supplemental heating
equipment such as electrical and kerosene heaters are the leading cause of home fires during
the months of December, January and February. So if you're thinking about getting a space
heater or you already have one, keep these ideas in mind and make sure you that extra warmth
safely. As well, as part of an overall home fire safety plan, not just because you have a space
heater, be sure to equip your home with at least one smoke detector and alarm on each floor and
outside all sleeping areas.
Considerations for All Space Heaters
• Whatever type of space heater you decide to buy (electric, kerosene, propane) be sure it is
certified and approved by a national testing laboratory such as Underwriters laboratory and has
the UL symbol on it.
• Ensure the model you choose has a "tip switch" that will shut it off if it is knocked over or
falls. All models should have this safety feature built in to their design.
•
• Keep in mind that space heaters are designed to provide small amounts of warm air. They
aren't bed warmers, cookers or clothes dryers, so never try to use them for anything other than
helping warm a room.
• A space heater should never be placed closer than 3 feet to any curtains, bedding or
furniture.
• Never leave a space heater unattended. Turn it off when you're leaving a room or going to
sleep, and don't let pets or children play too close to a space heater.
• Ensure there is a guard around the heating element or flame area, so little fingers can't get
burned.
• Make sure you put your heater only on a hard, level non-flammable surface. Never on
carpets or a rug that could catch fire.
Electrical Space Heaters
If you already have an electrical space heater, check all the wiring and insulation to be sure it's in
good working condition. Replace any frayed or damaged wires.
Don't run electric cords across a high traffic area. Cords are easy to trip over. It's best to not use
an extension cord with an electric space heater, but if you must, be sure to use a heavy-duty
extension cord (i.e. 12 gauge wire) that can handle the current without heating up.
Liquid Fuel Heaters
Before buying a liquid fuel or kerosene heater check your local fire regulations. In some areas
these heaters aren't allowed. It's also a good idea to check that your fire insurance allows you to
use a fueled space heater in your home.
Only use the manufacturer recommended fuel in your space heater. Gasoline burns with more
heat than kerosene so putting gas into your heater will cause it to burn much hotter than it was
designed to, and could cause a fire. When you're refueling your heater, make sure it is cool
before adding fuel. Pouring combustible fuel into a hot space heater is a recipe for disaster.
There's no doubt a space heater can help make your home more comfortable during the long
cold winter. However, keep in mind they're not toys and they're not multi-functional appliances.
Make sure your space heater is in proper working order and follow these basic safety tips and
your heater will provide years of warmth for your family. Ignore these ideas or fail to maintain your
heater as the manufacturer recommends and you're just asking for trouble. Stay safe; don't let
your home become part of those home fire statistics.
not be considered a permanent solution to a home heating problem. They're too dangerous. The
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that every year space heaters are
associated with more than 25,000 residential fires and 300 fatalities.
To minimize the risk of fire while using a space heater, read and follow the manufacturer's
operating instructions.
Space Heater Safety Tips
• Buy a space heater that has been certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.
• Keep all furniture and combustible items at least three feet away from any heating device.
• Never use space heaters to dry clothing, towels or other combustibles.
• Never refill a fuel-burning space heater while it's on or inside your house.
• Space heaters should not be left on while you are asleep or leave the room.
• When not in use, space heaters should be unplugged.
• Do not connect a space heater to an outlet with an extension cord, and never overload the
circuit.
• Never use a space heater with a damaged or frayed cord, and never cover the cord with
carpeting or furniture.
• Be sure your space heater is in good working condition and that the heating element is
protected by a metal guard.
• Keep young children away from space heaters.
• Avoid using electric space heaters in a bathroom, and never touch an electric heater when
you are wet.
• Make sure that your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working before using a
space heater.
• Check the cord on an electric space heater to determine if it is very warm or hot. If so,
unplug it immediately and try another outlet. If it continues to be hot, contact an electrician.
REMEMBER:
Space heaters are a great way to warm up a cold room or provide some supplemental heat to
your house. However, while undoubtedly convenient, a space heater can also be dangerous. In
fact according to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), supplemental heating
equipment such as electrical and kerosene heaters are the leading cause of home fires during
the months of December, January and February. So if you're thinking about getting a space
heater or you already have one, keep these ideas in mind and make sure you that extra warmth
safely. As well, as part of an overall home fire safety plan, not just because you have a space
heater, be sure to equip your home with at least one smoke detector and alarm on each floor and
outside all sleeping areas.
Considerations for All Space Heaters
• Whatever type of space heater you decide to buy (electric, kerosene, propane) be sure it is
certified and approved by a national testing laboratory such as Underwriters laboratory and has
the UL symbol on it.
• Ensure the model you choose has a "tip switch" that will shut it off if it is knocked over or
falls. All models should have this safety feature built in to their design.
•
• Keep in mind that space heaters are designed to provide small amounts of warm air. They
aren't bed warmers, cookers or clothes dryers, so never try to use them for anything other than
helping warm a room.
• A space heater should never be placed closer than 3 feet to any curtains, bedding or
furniture.
• Never leave a space heater unattended. Turn it off when you're leaving a room or going to
sleep, and don't let pets or children play too close to a space heater.
• Ensure there is a guard around the heating element or flame area, so little fingers can't get
burned.
• Make sure you put your heater only on a hard, level non-flammable surface. Never on
carpets or a rug that could catch fire.
Electrical Space Heaters
If you already have an electrical space heater, check all the wiring and insulation to be sure it's in
good working condition. Replace any frayed or damaged wires.
Don't run electric cords across a high traffic area. Cords are easy to trip over. It's best to not use
an extension cord with an electric space heater, but if you must, be sure to use a heavy-duty
extension cord (i.e. 12 gauge wire) that can handle the current without heating up.
Liquid Fuel Heaters
Before buying a liquid fuel or kerosene heater check your local fire regulations. In some areas
these heaters aren't allowed. It's also a good idea to check that your fire insurance allows you to
use a fueled space heater in your home.
Only use the manufacturer recommended fuel in your space heater. Gasoline burns with more
heat than kerosene so putting gas into your heater will cause it to burn much hotter than it was
designed to, and could cause a fire. When you're refueling your heater, make sure it is cool
before adding fuel. Pouring combustible fuel into a hot space heater is a recipe for disaster.
There's no doubt a space heater can help make your home more comfortable during the long
cold winter. However, keep in mind they're not toys and they're not multi-functional appliances.
Make sure your space heater is in proper working order and follow these basic safety tips and
your heater will provide years of warmth for your family. Ignore these ideas or fail to maintain your
heater as the manufacturer recommends and you're just asking for trouble. Stay safe; don't let
your home become part of those home fire statistics.
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realtors, homes for sale, find homes for sale, find a home, search homes,
townhomes, town homes, house for sale, townhouse, town house, condos,
condo, property, mls, mls listings, multiple listing service, rental listings,
rental property, rental property listings, home rentals"