In cases of heating the home, many consumers look for ways to conserve as much heat as possible. Some ways include having the attic insulated, putting weather stripping on doors and maybe even going as far as to have a fireplace installed. But one of the more popular ways for a homeowner to successfully heat a room without spending an absurd amount of money is by purchasing an electric space heater.
Electric space heaters are small units that provide heat in a small radius. The best thing about an electric heater is that one can be purchased in the $10 range. But the bad thing about them is that they are the main cause of residential fires during the months of December and January. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that more than 25,000 residential fires are a direct result of electric space heaters. As inexpensive and convenient as they are, not adhering to the safety warnings can be very dangerous.
Dave Tuplin is the technical director at Contractor's Depot, which sells heating equipment. Tuplin said that the most important thing that consumers should remember about electric space heaters is that they can easily be knocked over.
"Some of the heaters, when you have pets and children in the home, may get knocked over," Tuplin said. "That is especially true with some of the lighter space heater models. You can knock them over and they have switches built into them. They will automatically adjust for fire safety. The cheaper ones do not do this."
Other safety tips when dealing with an electric heater include looking for one that is listed with the nationally recognized testing laboratory. Heaters that are listed with the testing laboratory have been tested to meet a higher safety standard. Also, the manufacturer is required to provide the consumer with important care information. Also, be sure to read the instructions for operation of your heater. Some heaters can run longer than others and the instruction for operation is a good place to find out how long your heater can run safely.
With so many different types of heaters on the market, consumers are always given a large variety. But when choosing your heater, experts tell consumers to always choose a heater with a guard around the heating element.
If you have to use an extension cord, be sure the cord is heavy duty and well equipped for the heater. As extension cords are a major source of fires every year as well, be sure to never run a heater on an extension cord for long periods of time. And whenever possible, never leave the heater unattended.
Lastly, never use an electric heater near water or flammable objects. Be sure you leave clothes, magazines and other flammable objects a good distance away. Never use an electric heater to dry clothing as this can result in a fire.
