Space Heater Safety Tips

How to Keep Your Space Heater Safe

A space heater might be a simple and effective method to heat your house, but they can pose certain concerns. According to the National Fire Protection Association, space heaters cause 43 percent of residential dwelling fires and 85 percent of home heating fire deaths. The good news is that knowing the following space heater safety recommendations significantly reduces the chance of a fire. Below, our Sacramento HVAC company explains. 

Examine the Safety Certifications of the Space Heater

First, Gilmore Heating, Air and Plumbing, the best HVAC Company in Sacramento, explains that a space heater must bear the safety certification mark of a reputable independent testing agency. Also, our recommend checking to see whether the space heater has any safety features.

Additionally, our heating company near me explains to choose a space heater that turns off automatically when it overheats or tips over, since this will help reduce the chance of an accidental house fire.

Avoid Extension Cords

When connected to a space heater, extension cables and power strips can overheat and catch fire. Plug your space heater straight into a power socket to be safe.

Place the Space Heater in A Safe Location

Keep space heaters at least three feet away from combustible items including curtains, carpets, mattresses, and clothing. Avoid putting space heaters on carpet or in high-traffic areas where they might be a tripping hazard.

Space heaters should be kept away from children and pets.
Place space heaters in areas where small children and dogs cannot access them. If required, consider placing your heater behind a child-proof barrier.

Position Space Heaters on a Level Surface

To avoid harmful tip-overs, install space heaters on flat, level floor surfaces.

Do Not Hide Your Space Heater Behind Anything

Running the cable of a space heater beneath a rug, carpet, or piece of furniture might cause a fire. Keep them in plain sight.

Turn Off When Not Monitoring

When you’re sleeping, your space heater should be off. Additionally, make sure you are in the same room as the space heater or can keep an eye on it while it is operating.

Get Rid of Overheating Space Heaters

If your space heater or its power cable becomes hot to the touch, immediately turn it off and disconnect it. Alternatively, if you’ve had the space heater for a long, think about changing it. Don’t give your hot space heater to a charity or leave it outside for free.

Inspect Your Space Heater on a Regular Basis

Replace any space heater with a broken or frayed cable, damaged prongs, or loose connections right away.