During the winter months people do a whole host of things to stay warm and beat the dropping temperatures. Wearing more layers inside, pulling the throws out of storage and keeping them close to recliners and couches, adding extra blankets or flannel sheets to the beds.
The same goes for using space heaters in your home. Some homes are not insulated as well as others or, there are cold spots in the home where heat from the fireplace doesn’t reach. These are ideal situations for using a space heater to add some warmth.
But, when using a space heater there are safety tips that should be followed so that the warmth doesn’t get out of hand and turn into a house fire, or worse:
- Never use a gas or propane space heater that is meant for outdoor use. If you have patio heaters or camping heaters, they are designed to only be used outdoors and in well-ventilated areas. Using them indoors could lead to a dangerous build-up of carbon monoxide inside of your home, which could cause serious injury to you and your family. Only use space heaters that are approved for indoor use … indoors.
- If you are using an indoor-use approved space heater that uses gas as its ignition source, make sure that you have carbon monoxide detectors in your home that are properly working and installed. You can contact your local firehouse if you are unsure where to install carbon monoxide detectors or, the instructions inside of the package should give specific guidelines.
- Keep your space heater at least 3 feet away from items that are flammable like curtains, furniture, etc. While your space heater does not have an open flame like a fireplace, if these items are allowed to sit against the mechanics of the heater for a long enough period of time, they could heat up so much that they ignite.
Make sure that you and your family are kept safe this winter, regardless of your source of heat, by following these tips for indoor use of space heaters. Being warm and cozy inside of your home is a great way to let go of the stress of the day, and knowing that you have taken the proper safety measures to protect your family gives that much more relief.