As cold weather approaches the First Coast, the need to stay warm is a must. Blankets and hot chocolate are a necessity and turning up the thermostat on the central heating system. But, if you only need to warm up a small area for a short period of time, using a space heater can be an option.
That said, safety is a major issue with space heaters. The National Fire Protection Association states that one third of all home fires and 80% of heating fire deaths are caused by space heaters. Many use these heaters improperly, increasing the chance of damage, injury or even death. To keep you and your house safe of these dangers, here are a few helpful tips to properly use space heaters.
- Keep anything flammable, like bedding and curtains, at least 3 feet away from a space heater
- Keep small children away from space heaters and never use it in a kid’s room
- Install smoke/carbon monoxide alarms and test monthly
- Never leave space heaters unattended
- Run power cords on top of carpet to avoid abrading a cord
- Don’t use a space heater in damp areas unless it’s specifically made for that
- Do not place a heater on a countertop unless it’s specifically made for that
Always follow these tips to make sure that you and your family stay safe when using a space heater in the home. If a space heater isn’t enough to meet your comfort needs or you just want to eliminate space heaters entirely, call AC Masters at (904)-722-8995 to discuss any heating and cooling needs.
