| Although electricity is the safest and most | | | | As well as items of furniture, curtains are a major |
| convenient fuel in many heating situations, it is of | | | | problem. This is because heaters tend to be |
| course not without its inherent risks. Although | | | | placed at the edge of a room, allowing the heat |
| there is no possibility of a silent killer, like carbon | | | | to reach all parts of it. Also, as the area in the |
| monoxide, emitting into the atmosphere, the | | | | vicinity of windows tends to be the coldest part |
| dangers of faulty wiring and the inappropriate use | | | | of a room, the heater is often placed in this area, |
| of electrical equipment in areas where water is | | | | making the risk of overheating curtains a very |
| present create a different kind of danger. | | | | real possibility. |
| Modern equipment has, of course, diminished the | | | | Paper items are also very much at risk, as well as |
| risks of injury or death from all kinds of electrical | | | | items of clothing, which are often deliberately |
| equipment. In the case of electric heaters, this | | | | placed near to heaters to get rid of cold or damp. |
| includes the use of synthetic polymers in wiring, | | | | Of course it goes without saying that all kinds of |
| which are similar to rubber in their ability to | | | | flammable liquid must be kept well away from |
| insulate. Also, modern circuit breakers are able to | | | | fires and heaters. Still, despite this being obvious, |
| disable a circuit in the case of a short circuit, or | | | | thousands of accidents occur every year because |
| overloaded system. | | | | this simple advice is completely ignored. |
| Sadly electric space heaters are still responsible | | | | Water is especially hazardous when using an |
| for many accidents and deaths, despite these | | | | electric heater. Even though there are never any |
| modern advances. Fire, rather than electrocution, | | | | electrical power points in a modern bathroom, |
| remains the biggest danger. These fires, often | | | | which in itself is testimony to the danger of |
| caused by malfunctioning elements or careless | | | | electricity mixed with water, modern homes are |
| use of the heater, are responsible not only for | | | | often fitted with a stand-alone electric heater on |
| injuries and deaths every year, they also cause | | | | the wall. In this case it is especially important to |
| millions of pounds of damage to buildings and | | | | make sure that all necessary safety checks are |
| property. | | | | carried out on a regular basis. Of course you |
| The elements of many electric space heaters are | | | | should absolutely never bring an extension lead |
| not only dangerous if they malfunction, the | | | | into a bathroom so you can use an electric space |
| inherent heat can in itself be a hazard. If the | | | | heater. |
| heater is not placed a safe distance away from | | | | If you are going to use electricity to heat your |
| neighbouring furnishings, extremely flammable | | | | home, especially if you are going to use space |
| materials can be set alight, often emitting | | | | heaters which plug into the mains, make sure you |
| dangerous gases into the atmosphere. Although | | | | do the necessary research into safety |
| rules concerning acceptable materials in furnishings | | | | precautions, Government policies and |
| have been tightened considerably in recent years, | | | | recommendations and the advice of charities and |
| many old items remain in circulation. | | | | associations concerned with safety advice. |