Portable heater safety

11/30/2020 (Permalink)

It's generally suggested that space heaters be placed at least 3 feet away from furniture, window treatments, bedding, clothing, rugs, and other combustibles.

These items can cause a risk of fire if they come in contact with a unit's electric heating element or too-hot surface.

Other Placement Tips

• Never sit or drape anything on top of a portable heater.
• In addition, be sure that the heater is placed on a hard, level surface.
• Review your owner's manual for specific instructions on your heater. 

• Safety Tips
• Look for Safety Features
• Today's portable heater models include a variety of safety features that help take a lot of the worry out of using them: 
• Overheat Protection
• Room heaters with overheat protection detect when internal components become too hot. When an unsafe temperature is detected, the switch automatically shuts off the unit to prevent overheating.
• Tip-Over Protection
• A heater equipped with a tip-over protection switch will automatically shut off if it's tipped over for any reason.
• Cool-Touch Housing
• Cool-touch housing prevents accidental burns by touching the exterior of a heater. This is particularly useful safety features, particularly in areas with active children or pets.

·         2. Plug Directly into an Outlet

• As a rule of thumb, plug a portable electric heater directly into an outlet with sufficient power capacity. Attaching an extension cord to the unit increases the chance of overheating, fires, and electrical shock injuries.

·         3. Regular Inspection and Maintenance

• Occasionally inspect your space heater, particularly when you first purchase it. Frequently clean and maintain it to ensure it's working safely.
• Wiping yours down will also help reduce the amount of dust and allergens that may be dispersed around your space. 

·         4. Shut Off and Unplug if Not in Use

• Upon leaving an area, turn off the portable space heater and unplug it. Many models, like Vornado heaters, feature programmable timers that can be used to program automatic on and off times for when you sleep or head to work.

·         5. Keep Heaters Away From Water

• Unless it is specifically designed for use in damp spaces, refrain from running a heater in a bathroom or a humid basement. Don't touch the heater if you are wet or have wet hands, as this increases the risk of electrical shock.