Space Heater Safety

1/10/2019 (Permalink)

A little space heater can do a lot of damage so practice these safety tips to prevent a fire from starting.

Now that it is officially Winter time, we can definitely feel it! Because of that, most of us are bundled up, using our heaters and what not to keep us warm. One thing a lot of us use is space heaters as they are a convenient source of heat for your home or work space. What we all need to know and stay cautious of about these electric space heaters is that they are the second leading cause of fires in a home or office. These fires result in hundreds of deaths, thousands of injuries, and millions of dollars in property damage. So, don't be the next victim of a space heater fire. Follow these helpful tips to prevent that from happening:

• Make sure your space heater is properly plugged in and away from any combustibles.
• Always read the manufacturer’s warning labels and instructions carefully.
• Do not use heater if there are any frayed, worn, or damaged signs on the plug.
• Make sure the heater is kept at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn such as papers, clothing, and rugs.
• Do not place the space heater in a high traffic area where it may pose a tripping hazard.
• Plug space heater into wall outlets, avoid plugging them into extension cords or power strips as they could overheat and start a fire. 
• Always place heater on a level, flat surface. Never place them on cabinets, tables, furniture, or carpet.
• Never leave the space heater unattended while on, always turn off, unplug and safely store when not in use.