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8 Space Heater Safety Tips

Space heaters present a practical and affordable way to add heat where none exists or warm up a room or area that’s under-heated.

Space heaters also come with a host of safety precautions that we urge you to consider before purchasing and using one.

1. Choose a model with a protective guard around the heating element to help prevent accidental harm to small children and pets.

2. Unless the package indicates the space heater has been tested and approved by a reputable source, such as Underwriters Laboratory (UL), move on to the next available package.

3. Space heaters should be right-sized for the room or area they’re intended for. If the unit is too small for the job, it will work harder than it should have to.  That, in turn, can lead to premature failure, overheating, and perhaps even a fire.

4. Place space heaters on level, flat surfaces. Never place heaters on cabinets, tables, furniture, or carpet, which can overheat and start a fire.

 5. Don’t let anyone operate your space heater unless they’re completely familiar with all aspects of its operation and associated safety tips.

6. Proper placement of space heaters is critical. Heaters must be kept at least three feet away from anything that can burn, including papers, clothing and rugs.

7. Since most space heaters heat people and objects, and not space, never leave it on when going to bed or leaving the room for more than a minute or two.

8. Always unplug and safely store the heater when it is not in use.

In a perfect world, no one would need a space heater, except perhaps in an unheated area like a garage or three-season porch. Short of that, contact Messmer Mechanical to see about beefing up your central heating system to make up for any deficiencies. It’s the safer, more reliable way to ensure whole-house comfort. Contact us today to schedule a free home heating assessment and a proposal to better meet your needs.