Best Practices For Using A Space Heater

11/10/2020 (Permalink)

Your central heating system will be working hard this winter. You may only need to heat one room at times, so keep in mind that you can use a portable space heater to take the load off of your main heat source. Space heaters are high-wattage appliances and do have the potential to cause fires if they are not used correctly, however. With that in mind, we would like to share some best practices for using a space heater here:

When selecting your space heater:

• Check to see that your heater is listed by a qualified testing laboratory.
• Purchase one with a sensor that will shut it off automatically if it overheats or gets tipped over. 

• Inspect your heater and its cord and plug. Do not purchase it if you think it could be defective. 

When setting up your space heater:

• Place your heater on a solid flat surface, and make sure it’s at least 3 feet from anything flammable. If it is being used in the garage or workshop, keep it away from any paint, oil, and gas cans. 
• Don’t place the heater on furniture or cover it up, and be careful of high-traffic areas and doorways, where someone could trip over it and get burned. Never run a power cord under carpets, rugs, or furniture. 
• Plug your heater into an outlet directly rather than using an extension cord or power strip, and ensure that the plug fits well and is the only plug in the outlet.  
• Always keep your heater away from water, and if you’re wet - don’t touch it. 

When using your space heater: 

• Check your heater often to make sure that the plug, cord, outlet, or faceplate isn’t hot. If it is, stop using it immediately, and remember that a hot cord may mean it is defective and could ignite a fire. 
• Don’t run your heater 24/7. It isn’t made to work for long periods of time. 
• Never leave a space heater unattended or in a child’s room, and turn it off while you are sleeping. 
• Install smoke detectors in your home, as well as carbon monoxide alarms. These need to be tested monthly. 

We hope these best practice tips will help you to use your space heater properly. Here at SERVPRO of Huron & East Seneca Counties, we want you, your family, and your friends to be safe. If you experience damage to your property, we’re here to help, 24/7. We are specialists when it comes to fire damage or water damage, and we can handle mold, too. We can get your home or business Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned if you need it, so ask us how.