As winter approaches, it’s important to prepare for the cold temperatures ahead. Space heaters are a popular way to heat specific rooms and areas. You can use these small appliances to minimize your reliance on your heater and avoid the cost of heating your entire home.
Portable space heaters are a convenient solution, but they can also be a serious hazard if they’re not used correctly. In fact, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that space heaters cause over 1,700 residential fires annually. These fires are also responsible for more than 160 injuries and 80 deaths each year.
Before relying on your space heater, make sure you are using it safely and properly. Use these tips to warm your home while keeping your family safe.
What is the safest way to use a space heater?
1. Pick the right location
Most fires occur when the heater comes in contact with flammable objects. Make sure you follow the “three-foot rule,” which calls for three feet of open space around the device. Take special care to keep the heater away from items such as:
- Curtains
- Bedding
- Pillows
- Furniture
- Rugs
- Paint
- Matches
- Gas cans
You should always place portable space heaters on a hard, flat surface at ground level. Don’t set it on a bench or chair. If possible, avoid setting the device on carpet. You want to give it as much stability as you can to keep it from tipping over and causing a fire.
Finally, ensure the heater is kept away from water. Don’t put it in the kitchen or bathroom where it might get wet.
2. Turn it off when you can’t actively monitor it
Fires move quickly. If a pet knocks the device over or wind blows the curtains into the heater, you may only have seconds to react.
For your safety, only run the portable heater when you can keep a close eye on it. Turn it off and unplug it whenever you leave the house, even if it’s just for a minute. Unplug it before bed. If you’re worried about the temperature during the night, run the heater on high before going to sleep or turn on your home’s heating system.
This also means that you should never place a portable space heater in a child’s bedroom. They may turn it on, knock it over, or place flammable objects too close to the device. A curious child might get shocked when playing with the plug. More importantly, you may not know about a fire until it’s too late to rescue your children.
No matter the situation, only use your heater when you’re in the same room and aware of what is happening around it.
3. Take precautions
Space heaters are designed to be plugged into a wall outlet. Connecting them to extension cords, surge protectors, G.F.C.I. outlets, or plug timers can quickly create danger.
These devices create extra layers of electrical connection which can overload the circuit. Additionally, they might develop extra resistance, creating a build-up of heat. If this happens, the electrical device may catch fire, melt, or explode.
When you’ve plugged the heater in, make sure the other electrical box in the outlet remains open. Using the same outlet for another device can cause overheating.
Finally, double-check your smoke alarms before using a portable space heater in your home. Test each detector to make sure it’s working properly and has a working battery. If you don’t have a working smoke alarm or want additional protection, consider adding a smoke/heat detector in the areas that aren’t already covered.
4. Take advantage of smart technology
Many space heaters include smart features that can help you protect your home. These options include:
- Automatic shut-offs and overheating protection – When the device reaches a specific temperature, it will automatically shut itself off. Though you still need to supervise it, you won’t have to worry about the device overheating.
- Tip-over switches – If someone knocks the heater over or it falls while on an unlevel surface, this feature will immediately turn the device off.
Accidents happen, but these features work automatically to protect your home and family.
Smart plugs are another great option. If you ever forget to turn the heater off before leaving, you can easily and quickly turn the outlet off through your phone. Rather than running back home or spending the whole day wondering if you shut it off, you can restore safety with just a few taps.
5. Understand how your portable space heater works
When you buy your device, you will choose from four types of heater:
- Ceramic – These devices use a hot ceramic plate to heat the air.
- Fan-forced – A fan pushes the air over hot metal coils to heat it.
- Infrared – The air is warmed by infrared bulbs before being blown into the room.
- Water/oil-filled – The heater uses hot water or oil to produce heat.
Research each product to understand how they work and the best ways to use them in your home. Some radiate enough heat to warm entire rooms while others blow hot air into a specific area.
More importantly, make sure you know which hazards each heater presents. Ceramic heaters, for example, have grills that get extremely hot. You will need to find one with a plastic face to prevent burns. Similarly, a water/oil-filled heater will be hot on all sides and shouldn’t be used in homes with pets and kids.
Take the time to learn all about your space heater before setting it up. Make sure you choose the safest option for your home and family, even if it costs a bit more. Look for products with a safety certification label from an organization that tests products, such as a CSA International certification, UL mark, or ETL label from Intertek.
A portable space heater can protect your family from winter’s cold, but you have to make sure it isn’t creating its own risks. With these tips, you can keep your home warm and safe through the coldest temperatures.
