Some Simple Guidelines for Using a Space Heater Safely

5/22/2019 (Permalink)

Take some safety measures to prevent a burned space heater from happening in your home in Weedville, AZ

There is no arguing that space heaters have their place in helping to warm a home. Used safely, they are a great way to heat a specific area in the event that a wall heater or the furnace doesn’t quite do the job, or in the garage where one may be the only source of heat. There are some safety measures that you should take to prevent a burned space heater from happening in your home in Weedville, AZ.

5 Tips for Safe Space Heater Use

Fire damage from burned space heaters affects some 250,000 homes each year, causing severe injury and even death, but that does not necessarily have to be the case. Consider the following safety guides and make sure all household members understand them:

1. Always plug a free-standing heater directly into the wall, never into an extension cord.
   
2. Look for a heater with automatic shutoff features to prevent overheating.
   
3. Place the heater on a non-flammable, hard, level surface such as a concrete floor.
   
4. Maintain at least three feet between the heater and any flammable or combustible materials such as bedding or curtains.
   
5. Keep children and pets away from the heater to prevent burns and tipping.
   
   

In addition, it is wise to unplug the unit when not in use and never leave it running unattended.

If a Fire Occurs

Fire damage cleanup can a devastating process — one you will want to avoid. Even if a fire just smolders before you find and extinguish it, the smoke cleanup can take weeks before the odor is eliminated. A fire restoration service in Weedville, AZ, may be able to help set things right again in the event of a blaze.

To avoid a burned space heater, pay attention to the guidelines above when using the device, in addition to any listed in the manufacturers instructions. Doing so can help prevent a fire and all of the complications that can go with it.