Space Heater Safety

11/27/2023 (Permalink)

Should you ever experience a fire or smoke damage, contact SERVPRO of Jacksonville Northwest!  But here are tips for space heaters as compiled by Consumer Reports:

Using a Space Heater: Safety Tips

Half of all home heating fires happen during the months of December, January, and February—they’re mostly caused when a heater (typically an electric one) is placed too close to curtains, bedding, or upholstered furniture. Our experts, as well as the pros at the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturersand the National Fire Protection Agency offer the following safety tips:

• Place the heater on a hard, level, and nonflammable surface. These appliances are intended to sit on the floor, not on a table.
• Establish a 3-foot kid- and pet-free zone around the heater, and never put a space heater in a child’s room.
• Keep the space heater at least 3 feet away from combustible materials, such as furniture, bedding, and curtains. A taller heater may need to be even further away.
• Don’t use a heater in a workshop or garage near paint, gas cans, or matches.
• Turn it off when you leave the room or go to bed.
• Unplug the heater when it’s not in use by pulling the plug straight from the outlet. Check the cord for damage periodically, and don’t use the heater if the cord is frayed or worn.
• Don’t plug another electrical device or an extension cord into the same outlet as a heater—that can cause overheating.
• Install working smoke alarms on every level of your home and in every bedroom, and test them monthly.
  
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