Make sure you are using your space heater correctly with our safety tips!
As the snow threatens to cover the east coast, people are flocking to their nearest store for provisions to equipment to get them through the weekend. These people aren’t just picking up the staples of milk and toilet paper. Many Americans are using portable space heaters in order to stay warm through the latest cold blast. But how safe are these space heaters? Let’s take a look at how safe they are and how to use electric space heaters correctly.
Portable Space Heaters
According to a 2013 report by the NFPA, space heaters account for more than 70 percent of all winter injuries and half of all property damages cause in heating fires. There are several different types of electric space heaters available on the market: oil or water-filled radiator; fan-forced heater, that blow warm air over hot metal coils; ceramic heaters, where the air is warmed over a ceramic heating element; and an infrared heater, where heat is created by infrared bulbs. Each of these heaters is different but each of them is dangerous if they are not treated and cared for properly. So how do you keep them operating safely?
Safety Tips
Before purchasing your unit, do a little research to know what brand is the safest. Look for a unit with tip-over and overheating protection. These are especially important if you are planning to use this heater around children or pets. Another feature to look at before purchasing your unit is a thermostat. This will help you control the temperature and set an automated shut off when it reaches a certain temperature in the room. Before plugging in your space heater, it is important to make sure it is safe to use. Inspect the unit itself as well as the cord to make sure it looks safe to operate. When setting up your unit, make sure to keep it, at least, three feet from anything that could burn like a bed, curtains, and especially pets and people. Place your heater on the solid and flat surface away from foot traffic. Never plug your unit into an extension cord and make sure to turn off the unit before going to bed or when you leave the room. Never leave electric space heaters unattended.
As with any possible fire hazards in your home, it is important to have the correct fire extinguisher on hand to help extinguish the fire. To extinguish an electrical fire, only use a class C fire extinguisher. For more information on fire safety and getting the correct fire extinguisher for your home, call Fireline today!
Fire Protection and Prevention with Fireline
At Fireline, we offer an array of portable fire extinguishers, fire alarms, and sprinkler systems to keep commercial kitchens safe. Fireline offers the highest quality alarm systems to keep your business safe from fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. We also offer fire suppression systems as well to help keep commercial fires controlled should they break out. Our trained technicians will work with you to determine which air sampling smoke detection system is best for your business. We will also help install and maintain the system for your commercial building.
To get started with Fireline today, or for more information on sprinkler systems call us at 1-800-553-3405, or visit our contact page.
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