When colder weather hits, people sometimes turn to space heaters for warmth. They are a good option IF used safely. They can be less expensive to use when heating one room or a small space. Space heaters are often used to increase the heat in an area where elderly patients sit or sleep since they may be more prone to be colder.
The Energy.gov website provides the following recommendations:
- Only purchase newer model heaters that have all of the current safety features. Make sure the heater carries the Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL) label.
- Choose a thermostatically controlled heater, because they avoid the energy waste of overheating a room.
- Select a heater of the proper size for the room you wish to heat. Do not purchase oversized heaters. Most heaters come with a general sizing table.
- Locate the heater on a level surface away from foot traffic. Be especially careful to keep children and pets away from the heater.
Other safety tips include:
- Plug a space heater directly into an appropriate wall outlet and do not use extension cords.
- Make sure cords are placed to avoid tripping over them and possibly tipping over the heater.
- Purchase a heater with tip-over safety which automatically turns off if it is accidentally turned over.
- Keep a three-foot perimeter clear around the heater to minimize risk of fire.
- Never lay anything on a space heater.
- Keep kids and pets safely away from space heaters.
- Unplug heaters when not in use.
For more information, visit the Energy.gov website.
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