7 Tips To Avoid a Burned Space Heater

10/23/2021 (Permalink)

Properly use a Space Heater to avoid a fire in your New Bern, NC home.

Space heaters cause about 25,000 house fires every year. A burned space heater is often the result of safety issues with the heater or improper use. These seven tips can help you avoid this problem.

7 Space Heater Safety Tips

There are two main ways to avoid a house fire caused by a space heater. The first is to choose a safe heater and the second is to use it appropriately.

1. Purchase a Heater With Safety Features

Choose a space heater that has a safety certification label from an independent testing organization. Check for a feature that automatically turns off the heater when it overheats or is knocked over. Purchase a heater with a sturdy cord.

2. Don't Use Space Heaters Near Water

Most space heaters don't have a ground fault circuit interrupter plug. If your heater comes in contact with water it may cause an electrical shock or short circuit, which could start a fire.

3. Don't Plug Your Heater Into an Extension Cord

Extension cords and power strips are not designed to handle the electrical power required to run a space heater. Plugging a space heater into an extension cord or a power strip may cause the strip or cord to overheat, which can start a fire that requires smoke cleanup. If you need to heat an area that is farther than six feet from a wall outlet, consider other options.

4. Avoid Operating Space Heaters Near Flammable Objects

Place your space heater at least three feet away from flammable items, such as curtains, furniture, bedding, and paper to avoid a burned space heater. If a fire does start, unplug the heater. You may be able to extinguish a small fire with a fire extinguisher. If the fire has spread, call 911 immediately. You may need the assistance of a fire remediation company in New Bern, NC, to restore your home after the fire.

5. Place Space Heaters on Level Surfaces

Another common way space heaters cause fires is when they fall over or get knocked over and land on something combustible. Your heater will be less likely to tip over if you place it on a level surface. Avoid putting heaters on the edge of a table, on a surface covered in cloth, or on rugs.

6. Always Supervise Your Heater While in Operation

If your heater tips over, or catches something nearby on fire while you are watching it, there is a much better chance you can put out the fire while it is still small. However, if you leave the heater unattended, the fire is likely to spread to other areas of the home before you notice anything is wrong. If you need to leave, turn the heater off and unplug it.

7. Don't Block Exits or Doorways

Placing a space heater in a doorway may block the exit if you need to escape a fire. Additionally, people passing through the doorway may knock the space heater over.

When used and supervised properly, many modern space heaters are safe. Following these tips can help you avoid a house fire caused by a burned space heater.