During the winter months, homes and businesses can feel chilly, even with the heat running. Depending on the cold tolerance, the user may use a space heater in a particular room of the home or near the desk at work.
Although this added heat source seems like the perfect way to keep the user feeling comfy-cozy year-round, it’s important to know the risks involved and about space heater safety.
space heater safety
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) released a report in December 2022 titled - 'Home Heating Fires'. This study found that an average of over 44,000 house fires are caused by heating equipment yearly, resulting in 480 fatalities and over 1,300 injuries.
Space heaters cause a shocking 88% of home heating fire deaths. Less surprising is that nearly half of home heating fires occur during December, January, and February. Understanding space heater safety will keep the user, the family, and the coworkers safe.
Space Heater Safety Features to Know
The space heater should have a thermostat to display temperature settings and overheat protection
It’s essential to check the space heater the user plans to purchase beforehand to ensure it has undergone adequate safety testing in a laboratory setting. The space heater should be clearly labeled with a safety certification label.
The space heater should have a thermostat to display temperature settings and overheat protection, which will automatically shut the space heater off if the heater’s internal components get too hot.
Finally, ensure the space heater the user chooses has an automatic shut-off function in case the heater falls over during use.
Space Heater Safety: Choose the Right Location
It may be tempting to place a small space heater directly on top of the desk at work or on a nearby table in the workshop, for example, but to use a space heater safely, it must remain on the floor at all times.
Space heaters should be placed on a solid, stable surface at least three feet away from anything flammable, including couches, curtains, papers, and even people. Resist the urge to warm the feet by placing them directly on a space heater!
6 Additional Space Heater Safety Tips
- Place space heaters in low-traffic areas of the room. The last thing users want is for someone to trip over the space heater, burn themselves, or knock it over.
- Never place a space heater in front of an exit. In an emergency, people will need easy access to the exit.
- Never leave a child or pet unattended while a space heater is in use. If the child is old enough, teach them never to touch the heater and more space heater safety tips. Consider placing a gated barrier around the space heater.
- Do not use an extension cord while operating a space heater. Always plug the space heater directly into the wall outlet.
- When users leave a room or go to sleep, turn the space heater off and unplug it. If users use a space heater in an office space, make turning off the heater and unplugging it a part of the routine at the end of each day.
- In case of an emergency, always have a working smoke detector and a fire extinguisher nearby.
