The cold weather is back and chances are good that those with space heaters have taken them out of storage and put them back to work for the season.
While a space heater can make a colder room more comfortable, they can also be dangerous if not used properly. Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires in the United States. More than 65,000 home fires are attributed to heating equipment each year – and space heaters factor into 43% of those home heating fires.
The Mentor Fire Department wants you to remain safe this winter. Follow these safety tips if you plan to use a space heater.
- Never leave a space heater unattended. Turn it off when leaving the room and before going to sleep.
- Plug the space heater directly into a wall outlet. Never use a power strip or an extension cord. Space heaters draw a high amount of electricity that can overload a circuit and cause an extension cord to overheat and cause a fire.
- Keep your space heater flat on the floor, preferably on a smooth surface to avoid it accidently tipping over. Many space heaters now come with a feature that will shut them off when tipped over. When selecting a space heater be sure to look for safety features that minimize the risk of fire.
- Avoid using a space heater near flammable objects. Place your space heater well away from curtains, pillows, blankets, paper, furniture or anything that may overheat and cause a fire.
- Keep children and pets at least 3 feet away from a space heater in use to avoid the unit being accidently tipped over or burning a child or pet.
Space heaters are great for adding a little extra warmth on a cold night, but please follow the manufactures guidelines and use extreme caution if you plan on using a space heater this winter.