| Approximately 7% of residential house fires are | | | | safety hazards; take care to read the reviews. |
| associated with electric and propane space | | | | 7. Although some space heaters are sold as |
| heaters according to the CDC and the Consumer | | | | waterproof I don't recommend their use in |
| Products Safety commission. | | | | bathrooms. However, if you need to warm up the |
| The overwhelming majority of space heater | | | | bathroom you can still plug the space heater in a |
| accidents are the result of improper use, failure to | | | | few minutes before you plan on bathing and then |
| follow the manufacturer’s instructions, or | | | | remove it. |
| incomplete knowledge of basic space heater | | | | 8. Personally, I would never use one of those |
| safety. | | | | skinny brown Christmas tree type extension |
| The following safety tips are a medley of | | | | cords for a space heater. Plug the heater directly |
| conventional wisdom, reader ideas, and some of | | | | into a wall outlet or better yet, use a power strip |
| my own. | | | | between the space heater and outlet. |
| 1. Make sure the space heater is UL (Underwriter's | | | | Most electric space heaters draw 12.5 amps on a |
| Laboratory) listed. | | | | typical 15 amp household circuit so you don’t |
| 2. Only purchase newer model heaters that have | | | | have much spare capacity for additional appliances. |
| all of the current safety featureslike overheat | | | | 9. Using a power strip will protect both the space |
| protection and a tip-over switch. | | | | heater and your home's wiring from power |
| 3. Locate the space heater on a level surface | | | | surges and overloaded circuits. Many new space |
| away from foot traffic. | | | | heaters, much like TV's and cell phone chargers, |
| 4. Keep at least 3 feet away from combustible | | | | are still on even when not in use. The use of a |
| items such as drapes and furniture. | | | | power strip will enable you to shut the power to |
| This is the number one cause of space heater | | | | appliances completely off when you go to bed or |
| fires. | | | | leave the house. |
| 5. Don't use the space heater as a dryer for | | | | The ability to shut the power off completely also |
| clothing, wet towels, etc. | | | | means a reduction in |
| 6. If you have little ones running around put the | | | | "phantom loads," or the electricity consumed by |
| space heater into one of thosescissor-like kiddie | | | | "always on" appliances. It'sgood for the |
| corrals so the kids can't get at it or buy a space | | | | environment and your pocketbook too. |
| heater capable of wall mounting. A number of | | | | 10. If your small space heater is running on the |
| micathermic heaters can be mounted on the wall | | | | same electrical circuit as your home computer, |
| but some models have been known to pose | | | | plug the space heater into a separate power strip. |