Mobile Heating & the Safety of Space Heaters

As the weather gets cooler, and eventually leads into the winter months people tend to look for cheaper ways to heat their homes, rather than keeping the furnace going full blast. Coincidentally, according to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) this also happens to be the same time as a larger portion of home fires due to negligent safety precautions. Whether you have a portable space heater, or are thinking of purchasing one, keep several key thoughts in mind.

• Never purchase a space heater, which is not approved by Underwriters Laboratories. Meaning, ensure it has the UL label attached, which means this product has been tested for safety.
• Remember space heaters are used for supplemental heating for a room. Do not use them for anything else, such as cooking, cloths drying, etc.
• Never leave a space heater unattended, especially if there are children in the home. If you are leaving the room, or going to bed – turn it off.
• Never place the heater on any surface, which is not flat and/or hard. Avoid putting them on carpets and rugs, which are flammable.

Liquid Fuel Heaters

• If using a heater fueled by kerosene, natural gas, or propane make sure, you are using them in a ventilated area, i.e. not in the home. They require oxygen to burn, and in and enclosed space, the oxygen will deplete fast leaving it hard to breathe.
• Install a carbon monoxide alarm in the same area as the heater. This will allow you to monitor the levels of carbon monoxide (CO₂).
• Never use anything except the correct fuel type. Meaning if using a kerosene heater, do not switch the fuel to something like gasoline. Also, make sure the heater is not hot and is sufficiently cool. Pouring fuel into a hot space heater is a recipe for disaster.
• Get the heater professionally inspected annually for safe operations. If the heater is not venting properly, you could run into major health risks.

Electric Space Heaters

• Visually inspect the wires, making sure they are not damaged or frayed. Always plug them directly into an outlet. If you need an extension cord, make sure you use a heavy-duty 14-gauge cord or larger. Avoid placing in a high-traffic area, where one could trip over the wire.
• Although most new models come with a tip-switch, make sure, if the heater falls over, it automatically shuts off. One equipped with a motion sensor so it shuts off when something gets too close (children, pets, etc.) is also ideal. Some also have an auto-shutoff feature, where it will turn itself off if too hot.
• Make sure the heating coils are protected from anything, which may be exposed to them. This will prevent inadvertent burning, and objects from igniting.