How To Prevent Space Heater Fires

12/19/2018 (Permalink)

Space heaters in a Bastrop,TX home can make your home cozy in cold months

Space heaters can make your home cozy during cold months, but a burned space heater in your home in Bastrop,TX, causes more problems than it solves. In order to reap the benefits and skip the dangers, it’s important to take the appropriate safety precautions when you use your heater.

Establish a 3-Foot Radius

Your portable heater needs a lot of space. The cord is long, and it is designed that way so that you can keep the device at least three feet from the wall. It needs to be placed on the floor on a level area with nothing around it. Everyone and everything should give it a wide berth, including:

• Children
  
• Pets
  
• Furniture
  

If you leave space around your heater, you are less likely to start a fire.

Turn It Off When Unattended

You may be tempted to leave your heater on overnight while you sleep, but this can cause problems. You can end up with a burned space heater if a pet knocks it over when walking through the room. Many space heaters come with an automatic shut-off feature, and this can help reduce the risk of fire. If you are not present and alert, your space heater should be off.

Change Filters Regularly

Just like with any appliance that requires a filter, the air filter on your space heater needs to be changed regularly to prevent you from having to call fire restoration experts for smoke cleanup. The manual that comes with your heater gives you instructions on the kind of filter it requires and how often it must be changed. Keep in mind that the more frequently you use it, the more often the filter will need to be replaced.

A burned space heater turns something that is meant for comfort into something potentially hazardous to your home. By observing safety tips and following the manufacturer’s recommendations, you can enjoy the additional warmth it provides without worrying about the dangers.