Winter Heater Reminders

2/4/2019 (Permalink)

We all need heat when temperatures plunge!  However, special care must be exercised when using space heaters.

Space heaters that require fuel should be handled and used with extreme caution. While fuel-powered space heaters are more efficient at heating a large space, there are certain things you must do to protect yourself from a potential fire. 

Never leave space heaters running without supervision. It's understandable that you do not want to come home to a cold house, but leaving a space heater running unattended is extremely dangerous. Space heaters may overheat which increase the possibility of igniting the fuel and causing a fire.

Here are some helpful tips to keep your home safe:

1: Always make sure the space heater is turned off before refueling

2: Remove the space heater from the residence before refueling. Never refuel inside the house!

3: Allow the space heater adequate time to cool down. Refueling a space heater while it is still hot can cause an explosion. If you spill gas onto one of the hot parts of the space heater, it could easily ignite.

4: Make sure to check if the space heater you are using is approved for indoor use. Most fuel powered space heaters are designed for outdoor use only!

5: Always be sure to double check your home fire extinguishers to insure that they are charged and that the expiration date has not passed.

6: Do not place space heaters on carpets or other flammable fabrics. Make sure the space heater is not in a confined space where it may overheat

7: Electric space heaters should never be plugged to power in a damp room. Humid air can caused the space heater to short, leading to an electrical fire.

8: Always make sure that electric space heaters are directly plugged into an outlet. Extension cords increase the risk of shorting.

9: Before purchasing any space heater, make sure that the space heater has passed safety tests in the United States. The easiest way to tell is to check for an Underwriters Laboratory Label (UL).

SERVPRO of Champaign-Urbana stands ready to remediate any incidence of damaging fire.  However, we offer these few watchwords to minimize the prospect of a building fire when using space heaters of any type. (JB)