Outdoor Propane Heaters: Safety Guidelines

Patio is typically outdoor area that will be one of nice areas to get relaxed after all day long you spend a lot of time at workplace. And you can extend the amount of time to enjoy your outdoor activities in your patio area by using outdoor propane heaters. Propane is nice idea for more money saving (propane prices are relatively cheaper) and powerful enough for heating outdoor! But there are safety guidelines and checklists to take into consideration in order to make sure we can use them more safely & properly.

The following are helpful basic safety guidelines on using outdoor propane heaters! Take a few minutes to read these pieces of helpful information.

The safe location to place the heater

1. Always keep in mind, don’t ever try to move it while it is running. Turn it off completely before moving it.
2. Make sure you choose a level surface for the installation. This is basic procedure to minimize the risk of knocked-over accident.
3. The unit should be positioned safe enough from wind, for better safety. But there are also some products of outdoor propane heater that are designed to keep working well in the average winds-speed.
4. Make sure the unit is far enough (at least 3.5 feet or more is better) from any combustibles (like paper, furniture, wood, etc) that can catch the fire and result fire accident. Consider also that the unit should be safe enough from any hanging trees or plants that could catch the fire.

Monitor your pets and children in your patio while the unit is running!

1. Make sure to position the unit is unreachable from your children and pets!
2. Avoid leaving your children unattended in your outdoor patio while the unit is working, otherwise there are a risk of your children to accidentally touch the hot surface of the heater or even can lead to topple-over accident due to accidentally disturbed or pushed.
3. Never permit your children to operate the unit on their own without any supervision!

What else you should know for the safety guidelines on using outdoor propane heaters?

1. Always remember that they are designed for outdoor use! Therefore, never try to use them for indoor use!
2. Before turning on the unit, make sure there are no any propane leaks!
3. Buy the outdoor units that have good safety features! The features include; automatic shut-off feature if the unit get tipped-over and overheating, ODS (O2 Depletion Sensor) feature to monitor O2 volume in your room (it is so important for indoor propane heaters), safety feature to anticipate a pilot-light problem, etc. Don’t forget also to make sure to buy a unit that is certified or tested by nationally credible testing company!
4. Check the venting mechanism of your heater regularly and ensure there are no blockades that can obstruct the vents. The well venting performance will give a significant contribution to the efficiency of the unit when running.
5. Place the pressurized propane tank on the level surface. Make sure it is also safe enough and keep out of reach of children. Be careful on connecting your propane heater to the tank!

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