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Space Heater Safety 101: How to Avoid Common Hazards

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Space heater in residential home. Space heater safety in Mendota.

When the temperatures drop, you need safe, reliable heat for your home. If your HVAC, boiler or furnace in Mendota, IL isn’t working, it’s tempting to rely on a space heater as your primary heat source. While space heaters can provide temporary warmth, it’s essential to steer clear of their common hazards to keep your home safe. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), space heaters are involved in an average of 1,700 fires per year. Here are some of the pro tips from Triple Service.

1. Choose the Right Space Heater

Space heaters can keep your home toasty and help out in an emergency. However, it’s important to remember that not all space heaters are created equal. Here’s what to keep in mind when shopping around:

  • Look for Safety Features: Choose a space heater model with an automatic shut-off function in case it tips over or overheats.
  • Check Your Space Heater’s Certification: Reputable testing laboratories like UL, ETL, or CSA should certify any space heater you buy (or borrow).
  • Match the Heater to the Room Size: Keep your space heater running efficiently by matching it to your room’s size. Calculate the square footage by multiplying the room’s length by its width and select a heater with approximately 10 watts of power per square foot for optimal heating. For example, if you have a 150-square-foot room, choose a 1500-watt heater.

2. Exercise Safety When Setting Up Your Space Heater 

It’s crucial to set up your space heater properly and avoid potential accidents.

  • Read the Manufacturer’s Instructions: First and foremost, always look over the manufacturer’s instructions and follow any safety procedures, set-up, and warnings.
  • Maintain a 3-Foot Clearance: Keep your space heater at least three feet away from anything that could potentially be flammable, including curtains, furniture, bedding, and papers.
  • Avoid High-Traffic Areas: Place your space heater in a low-traffic area to reduce your family and friends from tripping over it.
  • Keep Your Heater on a Stable Surface: Identify a flat, stable surface on your floor for your space heater. It’s a good idea to avoid tables, counters, or carpets that can block the airflow or create a dangerous ventilation situation. 

3. Power Up Your Space Heater Safely

Space heaters are a convenient resource that help keep you warm in a winter storm or when your furnace goes down, but they need to be used with caution. Remember, electrical mishaps are a leading cause of space heater-related fires. Protect your home with these simple steps.

  • Plug Your Heater Directly into Your Wall: Never use an extension cord or power strips that can overheat and cause electrical scorches, surges, or fires.
  • Use the Correct Outlet: A space heater needs more than a wall outlet. Plug your space heater into a dedicated outlet and avoid overloading your circuits and causing issues in your home.
  • Inspect the Cord: Check your heater’s power cord for signs of damage before and after each use. Cracks and fraying are signs of damage and mean you shouldn’t use your space heater.

4. Practice Responsible Space Heater Usage

Go over responsible space heater usage with everyone in your household. 

  • Turn Off Your Space Heater When Unattended: Even if you’re trying to thaw out frozen pipes or warm up a room during a winter storm, never leave a space heater on when you leave the room.
  • Avoid Moisture Around Your Heater: Unless the manufacturer’s instructions state otherwise, never operate your space heater in a bathroom or damp area. Exposing your space heater to moisture can cause electrical short circuits and lead to potential fire hazards or shocks.
  • Supervise Children and Pets Around Your Heater: Space heaters can grow hot to the touch and pose a burn risk to vulnerable family members, including children and pets.
  • Don’t Fall Asleep with Your Space Heater On: Falling asleep with a space heater on could increase the risk of overheating, an electrical fire, carbon monoxide poisoning, or potential malfunctions.

5. Maintain Your Space Heater in Top Working Condition

Keep your space heater in safe, working order and ready for the next winter storm by:

  • Clean Regularly: Keep dust and debris off of your space heater, especially around its vents, to avoid a fire hazard. 
  • Inspect for Wear and Tear: Before and after every use, check for signs of damage or malfunction. If your space heater is still under warranty, ask to replace the unit if anything seems off. 
  • Store Properly: Store your space heater in a dry, secure area to prevent damage and dust buildup when it’s not in use. 

6. Install Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Space heaters are known to increase the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) buildup, especially if they run on fuel. It’s vital to stock smoke and carbon monoxide detectors around your home to catch any potential issues as early as possible. Contact the team at Triple Service for all of your carbon monoxide, smoke detector, and electrical inspections to keep your home safe and restore your peace of mind.

Call Triple Service and Stay Safe and Warm this Winter

Space heaters are a convenient way to stay warm during the winter, but they need to be treated with care and respect. Following a few simple steps can keep you and your home safe. The team at Triple Service is always here to help with all of your furnace, boiler, and HVAC needs. Give us a call for all the services you need to stay warm this winter!