
If your home has cold spots, try calling your trusted, licensed HVAC service provider.
AUTO TURN ON SPACE HEATER PORTABLE
Ultimately, the safest way to use a portable electric space heater is not to use one at all. That way it can’t get accidentally turned back on. When it’s time to leave the room or go to bed, turn the space heater off and unplug it, too. Many space heater fires happen when the heaters are left running while homeowners are sleeping or not home. Never run a space heater without close adult supervision. In fact, you should never even touch an electric space heater while you are wet. The CPSC warns that it’s extremely important to keep your space heater away from water to avoid electrical shocks or even electrocution. Not only can kids and pets get burned if they get too close to the heater, they could also accidentally knock the heater over and cause a fire. Protect Children and PetsĮxperts agree that you must keep children and pets away from portable space heaters. The space heater will need to be either repaired or replaced. You’ll need to have a licensed, reputable electrician check your outlet for damage. If any of them do, you should immediately turn off and unplug the space heater. While using the space heater, you should check occasionally to see if the cord, plug, or wall outlet feels hot to the touch.

Again, covering the cord can cause it to overheat and lead to a fire. The CSPC also warns that you should never run the space heater’s cord under a rug or carpet. The ESFI warns that you should never use an extension cord or a power strip with an electric space heater because the extension cord or power strip could overheat and catch on fire. Plug It in ProperlyĪlways plug an electric space heater directly into a wall outlet. It’s very important that the space heater does not get knocked or tipped over. Keep It UprightĪnother safety guideline from the CPSC is that you should place the electric space heater on a level, stable surface. That means you need to position the heater at least three feet away from objects like curtains, beds, clothes, couches, paper, or anything else that is flammable. Clear a SpaceĪccording to the CPSC, the Number One “highly effective portable heater safety habit” is to make sure that there are no items that could catch fire within three feet of the heater on all sides.

Get it repaired by a qualified repair person, or replace it.
AUTO TURN ON SPACE HEATER CRACKED
If you notice any issues, such as a cracked plug, a frayed cord, or a loose connection, do NOT use the space heater. The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) recommends that before each time you use your electric space heater, you should take a moment to check over the unit, cord, and plug for any signs of damage.

Department of Energy recommends that you look for a space heater that has the most current safety features, such as a safety shutoff that can automatically turn the unit off if it tips over. When buying a new electric space heater, purchase one that has the Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL) label, indicating that it has been safety-certified. Here are some safety precautions you can take when using electric space heaters to help reduce your risk of fire. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) says that portable electric space heaters contributed to approximately 1,200 fires just from 2008-2010. Although electric space heaters are generally safer than other kinds of space heaters (like those powered by natural gas or propane), electric space heaters still pose a significant fire hazard. However, if you do decide to use an electric space heater, it’s extremely important to pay attention to safety.

And at the office, you might not even have the choice to turn up the central heat. After all, if your whole house is toasty except for that one room, you don’t want to waste energy by turning up the thermostat.
