Using Your Space Heater Safely

1/30/2018 (Permalink)

When the winter chill sets in, it’s only natural to want to stay warm.

However, sometimes your heating fails you, or maybe you don’t have central heating to begin with. That’s typically when the space heaters come out to keep things toasty and warm. While these appliances are certainly useful, they can be extremely dangerous to you, your family and your home if not used correctly and responsibly, leading to a burned space heater and a lot of professional smoke cleanup in the aftermath. What many people using space heaters don’t realize about them is that:

• They cause around a third of winter house fires every year.
• They typically contribute to around 80 percent of winter house fire deaths.
• Insurance companies have had to pay over $48 million for space heater damages in the past five years.

Fortunately, there are plenty of precautions you can take to use your heater responsibly so you and your family can be both safe and warm this winter in Mayfield, OH.

Isolated Spaces

The leading cause of a burned space heater is that homeowners often set them up much too close to other items. According to a number of insurance websites, your heater should be at least three feet away from anything it could potentially burn at all times to reduce the likelihood of a fire occurring.

Don’t Leave It Unattended

Yes, you want your home to be warm when you get home, but is it worth risking a house fire? If you’re not able to directly supervise your space heater, it’s always best to switch it off and let it cool down before you leave.

Level Settings

When placing your space heater, ensure it’s on a level surface. This way, it’s less likely that the machine will tip over and create a hazardous condition.

By keeping children away from your heater, refraining from using extension cords, and keeping your smoke alarms in order, you can reduce the chances of experiencing a burned space heater in your home this winter.