Keep your family and pets warm and safe by following these guidelines.

Space heaters are versatile appliances that help keep us cozy and warm when the outside temperatures drop. Whether you use one occasionally or on the regular, be sure to use it safely by following these guidelines.

Carefully consider space heater placement

Heating equipment is the leading cause of home fires. Careful attention to where your space heater is placed is critical for safety. Choose a location at least three feet away from anything combustible. This includes bedding, pillows, furniture, curtains, clothes and papers. Also, make sure the heater sits on a level, hard surface. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says not to place space heaters on rugs or carpet.

Don’t run the cord under a rug and keep the cord out of the path of people and pets.

Also, don’t use space heaters in places with flammable products like paint and gasoline.

Only use space heaters when you’re in the room

Space heaters should never operate unattended. Turn the unit off and unplug it when you leave the room or go to sleep. Unplugging prevents the heater from being turned on accidentally or starting a fire if there’s an electrical short or power surge.

Plug directly into a wall outlet

Never use an extension cord or power strip with a space heater. The outlet or power strip could overheat and catch on fire. Only plug the unit into a wall outlet—and don’t plug anything else in the same outlet. Use of a GFCI outlet is best.

Ensure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors work

Ensure that your home’s smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in working order. If you don’t know when the batteries were last replaced, install fresh ones.

Newer is better than older

Manufacturers of space heaters have improved the safety of these appliances over the years. If you have an older model, now may be the time to upgrade so you have a safer way to heat your space.

Newer space heaters have an automatic shut-off if the unit is tipped over. Many have a thermostat that stops heating when the temperature hits a set point to help save energy. Safety is also improved in newer models thanks to more guards around the heating coils of electric heaters and burners of kerosene heaters, which is especially important around kids and pets. There’s also newer technology, like radiant heaters that are energy-efficient and help save money.

If you’ve been using the same space heater for several years, check the cord and plug for damage. Don’t use the unit if there’s any fraying or cracking.

Extra care with pets

If you have pets that shed, make sure to keep the unit free of fur that can collect in air intake vents and on the grills. Accumulated fur could catch fire.

When used correctly, space heaters make our homes and workspaces more comfortable. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations to make sure you keep your family and pets safe.

 

Federally insured by NCUA