As the cooler weather starts to set in over these coming weeks, we’ll be warming up our homes with our fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators, and, in some cases, space heaters.
With space heaters, we need to try and keep some important safety tips in mind when we use them.
1. Don’t use space heaters as your only source of heat. They are meant to add heat to the room that you’re in and nothing more because they aren’t intended for long-term use
2. Keep your kids away from these heaters. Period. A space heater can potentially burn children very seriously because a child’s skin (especially for toddlers and infants) is extremely sensitive, so ensure no little kids will be playing near or around it
3. Never leave your heater plugged in and on when you leave your home for even a little while. Space heaters pose very real fire hazards if not properly monitored, so remember to shut it off when you leave the room
4. Ensure that your carpets, rugs, curtains and other fabrics aren’t flammable. Space heaters shouldn’t be within a few feet of any flammable materials, so please be vigilant of the items around the heater when you use it.
5. Using an extension cord with your space heater is strongly discouraged because it can all too often lead to house fires if the cord has not been approved fit for use with space heaters
6. Never use space heaters in your home that require oil or kerosene. This is incredibly dangerous and can lead to fires and even carbon monoxide poisoning
With snow just around the (colder) corner in certain parts of the country, it’s never too early to prepare for how you’ll be heating your home effectively, efficiently, and most importantly, safely. Stay warm!
