Space heater safety tips can keep your home standing. The National Fire Protection Association found them to be the leading cause of home fires from heating equipment. They’ve become uniquely dangerous because they’re a source of fire. If any combustible items get near it, your home could be in danger.
This month, we will talk about space heater safety tips in West Virginia. First, we will give you tips for safely using them in your home. Then, we will explain how not to burn your house down with them. All of these tips are very important when operating or working with a space heater. Steers Heating & Cooling is proud to educate our customers on space heater safety tips in West Virginia.
Five Safety Tips That Every Homeowner Should Know
As outdoor temperatures drop, people across the nation take measures to keep warm. Space heaters use large amounts of electricity that produce a lot of heat. Because of this, they can pose a fire risk. Homeowners must use space heaters with extreme caution. To keep your home safe and warm all winter long, here are five safety tips for using space heaters:
Keep Them Three Feet Away From You: House fires can spread quickly. It’s essential to keep your space heater at least three feet away from you. Obviously, you want to feel the heat, but it’s vital to make sure it isn’t too close to anything combustible.
One Outlet, One Plug: When using different heating devices, make sure your home wiring can handle that. After doing that, only plug one device into one outlet. Never plug them into an extension cord. Using one outlet does the trick and will not cause any damage.
Keep an Eye On It: Just like you don’t leave your children unattended, don’t leave space heaters alone. It’s also important to remain awake while using these devices in your home. If you feel yourself dozing off, turn the unit off, unplug it, make sure it’s cool, and hit the sack.
Serve The Heater The Right Fuel: If your space heater burns fuel, always use the one specified in the manual. Never use gasoline in a kerosene heater, as this could lead to an explosion. Taking the time to read your owner’s manual can help you get the right fuel to properly power your model. It may be extra work, but it’s worth it.
Give Your Detectors A Check: Since space heaters are the leading cause of home fires, check your smoke detectors. In the unfortunate event that a fire does occur, you can evacuate safely. If you are using a kerosene heater, double-check your carbon monoxide detectors. Since carbon monoxide is “the silent killer,” you definitely want to prevent buildup in your home.
How To Keep Your House Standing With A Space Heater
While modern models are much safer today than they used to be, nothing is perfect. Here are a few ways to make sure your house remains standing:
Leave It On The Floor: It can be tempting to keep your space heater close by. Don’t do that unless you’re lying flat on the floor. Also, don’t put it on your bed with all those flammable fabrics. Always place it on the flattest and smoothest surface you can find.
Keep It Away From Water: As the old saying goes, “water and electricity don’t mix.” Unless your space heater is designed and approved for it – most of which are not – keep it away from water. All that electricity and water can do is cause a massive problem.
Keep Cords At A Feasible Length: Most modern space heaters come with enough cord slack for a convenient position. However, sometimes you may find yourself with extra or less cord slack. In situations like these, resist the urge to hide the cord from sight as it snakes around corners. Don’t stuff it under a rug or couch, as this could prevent heat from escaping. Keep the slack length at a position to conveniently place the model while not impeding the electrical current.
Steers Heating & Cooling Offers First-Rate Heat Pump Repair
Repairing your heat pump can be tricky. At Steers Heating & Cooling, we provide residents of Parkersburg, WV, and beyond with professional heat pump repair service. We have more than 80 years of professional experience and strive to provide complete customer satisfaction. Steers Heating & Cooling prides itself on helping customers with all their residential, commercial, and industrial heating and cooling needs.
Steers Heating & Cooling has developed an outstanding reputation throughout Parkersburg, WV, for providing heat pump repair and other services. With a convenient location on Dudley Avenue, we work with individuals and families throughout the Mountain State. For more than 80 years, we have helped residents repair their heat pumps and space heaters to stay warm. To learn more about our heat pump repair services, contact us.
For more information on space heater safety tips in West Virginia, call Steers Heating & Cooling at (855) 226-9630. We bring more than 80 years of experience to the job every day while proudly serving the Mountain State. We pride ourselves on educating our customers about space heater safety tips in West Virginia.