When the weather turns cold, space heaters come out. Perhaps your home office is particularly cold, or you can feel the draft creeping through your den’s walls and windows every night. Space heaters can make you feel more comfortable wherever you are in your house, but when utilized improperly, these electric devices can be dangerous and result in burns or fires. Here are the top things you should never do with your space heater:
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Things You Should Never Do With a Space Heater
Don’t Set Space Heaters On Furniture
First, furniture is flammable, and second, space heaters can fall and shock or burn you, especially if someone trips over the cord. Space heaters should be placed on the floor at least three feet away from all furniture and on a non-flammable surface—not immediately on a rug or carpet. Examine your space heater’s directions because a powerful one can require even more distance from combustible objects.
Avoid putting one in the restroom
After taking a shower, the bathroom floor might get quite cold. However, electricity and water are incompatible. Avoid using your space heater in the bathroom, which is a small area where water splashes a lot.
Don’t Warm Pipes With Them
Again, space heaters and water are a dangerous combo. If your pipes are frozen or are in danger of freezing, they could break. Instead of freezing, let your faucets leaking or insulate your pipes.
Don’t Leave Them Unattended
Never leave a space heater unattended, even if you’re planning the quickest possible trip to the grocery store. Additionally, don’t leave them on when you’re sleeping in bed or when you leave the house. You need to keep an eye on space heaters so you can jump in if something goes wrong. If you have little children or pets at home, this is much more important. Pull the plug from the outlet to make sure the space heaters are completely off.
Don’t Use Them To Warm Clothing Or Bedding
In the winter, electric blankets are fantastic, but don’t use your space heater for that purpose. Clothes, bedding, and other linens, such as pillows or curtains, may catch fire due to the heat.
Avoid Using Extension Cords
Extension cords are generally not a good idea due to the risk of overheating and the tripping hazard. Before using an extension cord, make sure it is rated for a high-wattage appliance and consult the manufacturer’s instructions. Additionally, never plug the extension cord into a power strip or run it under a rug.
Don’t Overload Your Wiring
Space heaters use a lot of power. Don’t plug more than one into the same outlet or even into the same circuit. In general, a space heater should get an outlet all to itself. If you have outdated, broken wiring, it’s advisable to avoid utilizing space heaters
Avoid Placing Heaters in Areas With High Traffic
Here, exercise common sense: The cord shouldn’t cross a room’s doorway. Children shouldn’t run around the house or play with toys near a space heater.
Keep the Guard in Place
Space heaters should always have protection to prevent people and animals from inadvertently touching the heating element. Children should be kept away in case those small fingers manage to get past the guard.
Keep them away from combustible liquids
Keep a space heater away from combustible materials like paint, oil, and gasoline if you use one in a garage or workshop. You can find yourself in a hazardous and flammable position very fast if any of these topple over and spill.
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