Risks of Indoor Space Heaters and How to Avoid Them
Space heaters are a great way to keep your certain rooms of your home warm, without spending a fortune on heating the entire house. However, they do come with some serious risks.
Did you know that space heaters are involved in involved in 79 percent of fatal home heating fires?
That's a pretty scary statistic, and it could put you off using heaters altogether. However, when used correctly, space heaters can be a perfectly safe way to keep your home cozy.
We've listed some of the key risks of using space heaters, along with full details on how to prevent them:
Fires
Most fires involving space heaters happen when they're positioned too close to items that can catch fire. For example, curtains, armchairs, laundry, etc. Fires can also be caused by faulty heaters which malfunction.
Here's what to do to stay safe:
- Purchase new heaters that have been safety tested-- avoid second-hand models.
- Keep heaters away from combustible or flammable items.
- Choose heaters equipped with an automatic safety switch-off and heating element guards
- Replace heaters regularly.
- Ensure smoke alarms are installed in all rooms where heaters will be used.
On top of this, never leave a running heater unattended. Staying with the heater at all times allows you to spot problems as soon as they occur.
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Electric space heaters cannot cause carbon monoxide poisoning, but heaters which run on gas, oil or coal can. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas which can be fatal, so it's really important to take precautions when using this kind of heater.
Here's what to do:
- Use vented heaters.
- Choose models with oxygen sensors-- these automatically switch off when oxygen drops below a certain level.
- Install carbon monoxide alarms in your home. Since you can't see the gas, it's important to have an early warning system.
- Use heaters in well-ventilated areas only.
Fuel-burning heaters are a useful option to have, especially if you suffer regular power outages-- but be sure you know how to use them safely.
Burns
Heaters can become hot when in operation, so it's very important to avoid touching them directly. Choose heaters with plastic or rubber handles for easy movement, even while switched on. If you have pets or children at home, they should be supervised at all times and kept well away from the heater to avoid the risk of serious burns.
Stay safe while using space heaters with these tips. A warm home shouldn't put your family in danger.
Contact a company like Kintore Airconditioning for more information and assistance.