Exercise Space Heater Safety

(Undated) — Space heaters can provide extra warmth in a drafty room or chilly home office. But they can also pose a safety risk. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, on average, portable space heaters are responsible for seventeen hundred house fires a year. Experts say if you rely on a portable heater for supplemental heat, it’s important to make “space heater safety” a priority. You are reminded to place the heater on a hard, level, and nonflammable surface, establish a “3-foot kid- and pet-free zone” around the heater, and never put a space heater in a child’s room. Keep the space heater at least 3 feet away from combustible materials, such as furniture, bedding, and curtains. Turn it off when you leave the room or go to bed, and unplug the heater when it’s not in use. You are also reminded to install working smoke alarms on every level of your home and in every bedroom, and test them monthly.