Home Safety Tips : Portable Electric Space Heaters
For spot heating, many homeowners turn to portable electric space heaters; it’s often more efficient to plug one in than to raise the household thermostat by a degree or two.
But using a space heater isn’t as safe as it is simple. According to the National Fire Protection Association, in 2005, space heaters were responsible for:
- 32% of home heating-related fires
- 57% of home heating-related property damage
- 73% of home heating-related civilian deaths
Space heaters cause a disproportionate amount of damage versus central heating systems and fireplaces. Therefore, it’s important to practice safety and care when using space heaters.
Some basic space heater safety tips include:
- Don’t place anything that can burn within three feet away of the space heater.
- Make sure that your space heater has the label of a recognized testing laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratory.
- Never use an extension cord on a space heater.
- Turn space heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
And, of course, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions.
Source
Heating Safety Tips
National Fire Protection Agency
