With all the snow and chilly winds whipping across the country, people are looking for additional methods to keep warm. Space heaters frequently make the list along with thicker wool sweaters and socks. As wool products are generally very difficult to make unsafe, I will focus only on safety measures for space heaters.
Space heaters have become much safer over the past couple of decades, however, they still posses the potential for catastrophe if not used properly. Specifically, the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that 25,000 residential fires occur annually with 300 fatalities as result of improperly utilized space heaters. Those are scary statistics but, fortunately, properly used they should not pose a hazard.
The most important safety consideration is to keep a distance of at least four feet around the heater completely free of objects or people. Stray items such as blankets, toys, plastic containers, etc. leaning against or in close proximity to the heater can cause a fire. In fact, a 2005 Harvard University analysis found that the leading cause of space heater fires was combustibles too close to the unit.
Next, do not use extension cords with your electric space heater -- plug it directly into an outlet. Preferably, the outlet will have an AFCI (arc-fault circuit interrupter). Electric space heaters draw a lot of current and can easily overload light duty extension cords and power strips. If you must use and extension cord, be sure to buy a heavy duty model available at hardware and home improvement stores. If a cord is only two pronged, it is absolutely not fit to work with a heater. Additionally, be sure to route or secure the cord in such a fashion that it won't be a tripping hazard.
A few things NOT to do with your space heater include:
- using an electric version in a bathroom
- leaving it on while nobody is in the room or in the house
- cooking over the unit
- thawing frozen pipes
- drying items on or near the unit
Further, when purchasing a space heater ensure that it has four features: 1) it has been tested by an independent laboratory such as Underwriter's Laboratories (UL), 2) it is fully enclosed, 3) it has a tip sensor and 4) it has a timer. First, it is important that your heater has been tested by a laboratory so that you know you are purchasing a quality device without defects or poor craftsmanship. In this fashion, you will avoid many dangerous issues. Second, a fully enclosed heater is constructed so that the exterior does not become sufficiently hot to burn somebody touching the heater. Third, a timer is necessary so that your heater does not run for long periods of time. Running a a space heater continuously can allow it to overheat and cause a fire. To avoid this, set the timer on your heater for several hours so that you do not have to worry about turning it off at a particular time. It is one less important item that you have to keep in mind. Lastly, It is not uncommon for space heater fires to result from tipped over heaters igniting the carpet on the floor. Avoid this possibility with a tip sensor. Heaters equipped with a tip sensor will shut themselves off if they are propelled into any position other than their proper operating orientation.
Although this may be obvious, it is important enough to mention -- keep a sharp eye on pets and children in the vicinity of an operating space heater. Curiosity and space heaters do not mix well at all.
Finally, when first using your heater at the beginning of the colder seasons, be sure to inspect it for fraying wires and broken parts. Repair any issues before placing your heater into operation.
Keeping these pointers in mind will help keep you and your family toasty warm without an increased risk of harm. That is certainly better than needing to break out the ugly wool sweater at the back of your closet!
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