Give Your Space Heater Some Space

During the winter when your home starts to get cold, there are many ways to warm up. Many people turn to their space heaters as a less expensive alternative, due to the increasingly high costs of energy. Space heater safety is one aspect that is becoming overlooked. For example, in the year of 2010, there were over fifty thousand home structure fires and over four hundred civilian deaths caused by home heating equipment. In addition, over a quarter of them were due to space heaters.To prevent a mishap, it is important to properly use a space heater, and to grasp the following space heater safety tips.

Your space heater most likely needs more space. Therefore, it is recommended to keep all household combustibles at least three feet away from your space heater. Examples of household combustibles include stoves, furnaces and fireplaces. In addition, implement a three foot kid zone to prevent children from getting too close to your space heater. Giving your heater more space will allow it to work more efficiently while preventing any devastating disasters from occurring.
Pay attention to your space heater’s cords. Many related fires are caused due to damaged or frayed wires, so periodically inspect your space heater’s wires for any frayed wire and defaced insulation. If you notice any impairments, refrain from using the space heater until it is properly repaired or replaced. Furthermore, be sure to turn off and unplug your space heater before leaving the room or before going to bed.
Those who use a space heater powered by liquid fuel burning should be cautious of using incorrect fuel, as it could potentially cause a serious house fire. Be sure to review the provided documentation to be notified of the manufacturer’s recommended fuel type. When your space heater is empty and you must refuel, do so carefully. Wait up to several hours after the heater is turned off, to let it cool down before pouring in any fuel.