Space Heater Safety

11/9/2020 (Permalink)

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While space heaters can help save you money on your energy bills, there are a few things you need to keep in mind when deciding to go this route. 

• Buy a space heater that is rated for your need. A heater that is too large for a certain area can lead to higher energy bills due to it consuming a lot of energy. On the other hand, if you buy one that is rated too small for your space, it will have to work harder to heat the space.
• It's suggested that you place your space heater at least three feet away from furniture, window treatments, bedding, clothing, rugs, and other combustibles. There is a chance a fire can start if these items touch the heating element of the space heater. Also, make sure to place the space heater on a hard level surface so there is less chance of it tipping over.
• Make sure the heater you purchase carries a label from either UL, ETL, or CSA. These are safety consulting and certification companies.
• It is a good idea to purchase a space heater that has tip-over and overheat protection. A heater that has tip-over protection will automatically shut off if it tips over for any reason. Overheat protection is when the space heater uses a temperature sensor to detect unsafe temperatures. When this happens, an internal switch will automatically shut off the unit.
• Plug the space heater directly into an outlet instead of an extension cord. There is an increased risk of fires if plugged into an extension cord.
• Frequently clean and maintain it to ensure it's working safely. Wiping it down is also important as this helps reduce the amount of dust and allergens that can spread.
• Turn off and unplug the space heater if not in use to reduce the chance of a fire occurring.
• Last, but not least, keep heaters away from water such as in a bathroom or a damp basement.