Space heaters are a great alternative source of heat people use in their homes, but is everyone using them in the safest manner? With the bitter cold we have been forced to adapt to this winter, people are really experiencing the inefficiencies of their home. Furnaces might be struggling to handle the stress of maintaining a comfortable temperature. Most people don’t take any safety into consideration when using space heaters. As a company with values spread through their customers and community, we want to provide you with proper knowledge in safety, we provide customers with space heaters when waiting for a new furnace to be installed or to get through a night or weekend to keep the final bill down. As of Friday 2/20/15, almost all of Rochester is sold out of electric space heaters. So our highly trained technicians put together a comprehensive safety guide so you can make sure that you and your family are safe, considering almost all of Rochester is using space heaters.
- When using a space heater, make sure you remember the 3 foot rule. Do not put anything within 3 feet of your space heater, especially anything that can burn easily (clothes, sofas, beds, papers, curtains or other flammable materials).
- Remember to turn space heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
- Do not place space heaters under desks or other enclosed areas.
- Keep space heaters away from exit ways, walkways and paths of travel.
- Ensure that your space heater is on a non-flammable, stable, and level surface- located where it will not be knocked over.
- Never operate a heater you suspect is damaged. Before use, inspect the heater, cord and plug for damage.
- To prevent electrical shocks and electrocutions, always keep electric space heaters away from water, and NEVER touch an electric heater if you are wet.
- It is a good idea when buying a space heater to check the box or with a sales person if the heater is safety-certified. A certified heater will have a safety certification mark.
- Never run the heaters cord under rugs or carpeting, this can damage the cord causing it and near by objects to burn.
Don’t use portable propane space heaters indoors or in any confined space unless they are specifically designed for indoor use. Even then, make sure they are properly vented. Using gasoline or kerosene space heaters indoors is very dangerous, they emit carbon monoxide which is odorless, tasteless and colorless. You won’t know it’s there until it’s to late and by then the damage can already be done. Take a look at our carbon monoxide guide, knowing the warning signs of carbon monoxide poisoning could potentially save lives.
If you’re tired of the inefficiencies of your heating equipment, which cause you to use space heaters, give High Performance Heating a call, 585-426-3004. Our Highly trained technicians can evaluate your home and heating equipment to determine the best course of action to get your home heated properly and comfortably.
