As colder weather approaches many people start getting out the extra blankets and space heaters to keep warm, but with that comes some potential safety hazards. In order to keep yourself safe this winter while using a space heater please follow these suggestions:
– Never leave a heater unattended. If you are going to be leaving the room for a while, feel yourself getting sleepy, or are going to bed turn the heater off.
– Unplug the heater after turning it off.
– Space heaters are only meant to provide supplemental heat so never use the heater to warm up bedding or dry clothes.
– Heaters draw a lot of power so always plug the unit directly into an outlet and do not use extension cords or power strips as this can lead to overheating and a fire.
– Place the heaters on flat, solid surfaces. Never place the heaters on something such as furniture, cabinets, or carpet that could overheat and start a fire.
– Keep the heaters out of the way of foot traffic, that way they are not accidentally knocked over.
– Keep your space heater away from wet areas or areas with a lot of moisture such as kitchens and bathrooms. Moisture can lead to electrocution as well as damage the heater’s components.
While heaters can be great to warm up rooms they also come with many potential hazards. Using the above suggestions will help keep you and your family safe as well as your home.
–Written by Jessica Melton, Nevada Fire Department’s Community Risk Reduction Officer
