Top 4 Space Heater Safety Tips

By Dean’s Service

There are various reasons that you could be using a space heater, whether your heater is not working properly, or it’s just so cold at night that you need some extra warmth in your bedroom. All of us need to use some kind of space heater at various points during the year. However, many don’t know that space heaters are the second leading cause of house fires in the United States. More than 65,000 house fires have been attributed to space heaters every year, resulting in millions of dollars in property damage and even deaths.

Luckily, there are a few simple things you can do to make sure that your space heater is as safe as possible.

Remain Aware

A major problem that people encounter with space heaters is their ability to be tipped over. Because most space heaters are portable and easy to move around, they are also quite easy to knock over without even realizing it.

Some manufacturers are beginning to address this issue by offering tip over protection techniques. Many of these techniques focus on shutting down the space heater should it tip over for any reason; this makes it one of the more necessary safety features.

Overheating

Many space heaters also come with overheating protection which works similarly to the shutdown mechanism that we discussed above. An internal temperature sensor detects when specific components become too hot and adjust their heat accordingly. There’s also an added safety feature in ceramic space heaters, as ceramic self regulates its temperature, reducing it as resistance increases.

Avoid Moisture

While keeping space heaters away from running water is obvious, it’s also important to not use space heaters in bathrooms or other humid rooms. While there are some that are designed to be run in humid conditions, many aren’t. Because of that, it’s a lot safer to use in rooms that don’t have too much moisture in the air.

Regularly Inspect & Maintain It

It’s surprising how many people neglect to regularly inspect and maintain their space heaters, especially considering that there is typically a large time gap in between uses. However, regular cleaning and dusting off your space heater is a necessity; this not only ensures optimal performance but keeps it running safely. An excess build up of dust can end up starting a fire, so it’s best to keep it as clean as possible.

For all of your home heating and cooling needs, don’t hesitate to contact the professionals at Dean’s Service!