Space Heater (Helpful Checklists on How to Use It Safely)

Space heater is one of popular home heating appliances. It is also available in portable model which usually purposed to heat partially enclosed area! Most of space heaters are usually powered and supplied by electricity and become familiar selection for anyone who is not satisfied to the existing home heating system. However, there are some crucial issues that you have to concern on how to use space heater safely and properly so thus a serious fire hazard can be anticipated and minimized as well.

Understanding potential hazards

In fact, there are many people who think that space heaters are harmless. Unfortunately, these heating machines can be so dangerous and can lead to a serious fire accident, no matter where they are installed and used. In many cases, a fire hazard is usually associated and caused by combustibles like curtains, paper or clothing when located too close to the unit that eventually will contact with the unit and catch the fire. So, there are a few points that we should consider carefully so thus we will use a space heater safely and properly with the right placement & monitoring.

How to use your unit safely?

1. One thing that must be anticipated as well is about electrical shock! So avoid placing the unit near from wet environments or water.
2. If you have to use it in a room with running water, such as bathroom and kitchen, then use a proper outlet that is equipped with a proper GFCI so that you the potential risk of electrical shock incident will be minimized and anticipated as well.
3. And like mentioned before, be careful to any combustible things (like pieces of wood furniture, easily combustible papers, and so on). Make sure all of those combustible items are far away from your space heater (at least 3 ft for the distance between the unit and those items).
4. It is better to choose proper individual electrical circuit to plug your heater (one unit –not for multiple units). This is important because there are many cases of choosing to plug more multiple heaters will lead to overload condition of the electrical circuit that eventually can generate the risk of property damage & injury.
5. Avoid using an extension cord!
6. Check your space heater regularly, if there any missing or improper performance of parts like broken grills or knobs, then contact a professional to service your unit. Don’t forget to check the performance of the power cord and make sure it is working properly before using your unit, because there is a certain time when the power cord will be frayed, worn or pinched.
7. And turn off the unit completely when it is not needed. Don’t ever try to leave your unit on while unattended.

Important checklists when selecting a portable space heater (particularly if you want to place it in the workplace):

1. It is important to make sure your unit you’re purchasing is qualified and certified by NRTL (Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory).
2. The Unit must be designed and equipped with safety features like an automatic feature to shut down the heating system automatically if it is overheating or tipped over.
3. Choose one that also has programmable thermostat to allow you set it when it should be turn off automatically and turn on automatically.

Read also simple guide on how to vent a gas tankless water heater!

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