Space Heater Safety

Whether you use a space heater to augment your whole-house heating system or for your main source of heat, there are some safety precautions you should take. To stay warm and safe when using space heaters Lynches River Electric Cooperative offers the following safety tips from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

• Fuel-burning space heaters produce a variety of combustion products that can be hazardous to family health. If possible, use an electric space heater, which produces no fumes and requires no liquid fuel such as gasoline or kerosene.
• Select a space heater with a guard around the heating element. This will help keep children, pets, and clothing away from the heat source.
• Look for a space heater that has been tested and certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. These heaters have been determined to meet specific safety standards, and manufacturers are required to provide important use and care information to the consumer.
• Read and follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions. A good practice is to read aloud the instructions and warning labels to members of the household to be certain everyone understands how to operate the heater safely. keep the owner’s manual in a convenient place to refer to when needed.
• Keep children and pets away from space heaters. Some heaters have very hot surfaces. Children should not be permitted to either adjust the controls or move the heater.
• Place heaters at least three feet away from objects such as bedding, furniture, and draperies. Never use heaters to dry clothes or shoes. Do not place heaters where towels or other objects could fall on the heater and start a fire.
• Be certain your heater is placed on a level, hard and nonflammable surface, not on rugs or carpets.
• Use heaters on the floor. Never place on furniture, since they may fall dislodging or breaking parts in the heater, which could result in a fire or shock hazard.
• Unless certified for that purpose, do not use heaters in wet or moist places, such as bathrooms. Corrosion or other damage to parts in the heater may lead to a fire or shock hazard.
• Do not hide cords under rugs or carpets. Placing anything on top of the cord could cause the cord to overheat and cause a fire.
• Keep the heater in a safe working condition, replacing missing guards and controls at once. Never operate a defective heater. Have all necessary repairs done by a qualified repair person.
• If you must use an extension cord, make sure it is a heavy duty cord marked with a #14 gauge or larger wire. An incorrectly-sized cord may create a fire hazard. If the heater’s plug has a grounding prong, use only a ground (three-wire) extension cord.