"Stay Safe While Warming Your Home With Space Heaters"

10/23/2018 (Permalink)

Look for safety features when you buy a heater

Numerous household fires happen every year because of a burned space heater. Although heaters are useful tools for providing comfort to homes, some common mistakes lead to about 25,000 home fires a year, and about 6,000 people are treated for related burns. Avoid these common mistakes and look for safety features when you buy a heater.

Most Common Mistakes That Lead to a Burned Heater

These cozy appliances have come a long way in the past several years, but they can still cause fires when used inappropriately. Protect your home and family by using the heaters according to manufacturer instructions and avoid some of the most common mistakes.

• Leaving the heater running without supervision
• Neglecting to change the filter
• Putting the heater too close to curtains and other flammable items

Safety Features That Prevent Heater Fires

When it's time to upgrade a burned space heater, look for some of these features:

• A safety certification label from Underwriters Laboratories or other independent testing organizations
• Shut-off sensors including one that switches the heater off when temperatures rise too high or a sensor that switches the heater off when it's knocked over
• 6-foot long cords for plenty of flexibility

Helpful Tips for Safe Use of Space Heaters

The best habits to use when you're running a heater in your home include:

• Do place heaters on a sturdy, level, nonflammable surface.
• Do leave at least three feet of room around the heater where pets and children cannot enter.
• Do keep all combustible materials away.
• Do unplug the appliance when it's not in use.
• Do install smoke alarms in your home.
• Don't use extension cords with residential space heaters.
• Don't run heaters near water.
• Don't use the appliance near flammable substances, such as paint and cleaners.
• Don't plug other devices into the same outlet as the heater.

Fortunately, a home fire from a burned space heater can be resolved. There are many resources in Tulsa, OK, to help homeowners recover from fires, such as smoke cleanup professionals and local chapters of humanitarian agencies, such as the American Red Cross.