The Dangers of Portable Heaters
When you’re looking to heat a single room in your home that just won’t get warm enough — maybe there’s a draft or your home lacks adequate insulation — there’s a quick fix: a portable heater. While these mobile appliances can be purchased at just about any home improvement store, portable heaters — if used without care — can pose a real danger to you and your family.
However, if you choose to use a portable heater, here are some essential tips to keep in mind:
How to Avoid a Dangerous Situation With a Portable Heater
Keep Them Away From Kids
If you own a portable heater, you’ll know that many models typically emit a warm, glowing light to indicate that they’re on. And when that’s the case, children will be tempted to get closer to the glow and may want to touch it — which can result in severe burns.
To avoid this, make sure that your portable heater is in a room that your child doesn’t normally access alone. Another thing to keep in mind is that you’ll want to make sure that the unit is placed directly on the ground — not on top of a dresser or table. The reason being is that if your child were to bump into the piece of furniture that bears the heater, they could knock it onto the ground and create a very dangerous situation that no parent ever wants to encounter.
Proper Placement is Important
This goes without saying, but the placement of space heaters is critical. When you use a mobile heating element, it must be kept a few feet away from anything that is flammable — such as long, flowing curtains. And while it might seem okay to place it near a piece of furniture (such as your couch), that, too, can also create a potential fire hazard if it is exposed to blaring heat for an extended period.
Supervision is Key
It’s important to remember that portable heaters should only be used when you are present. Many times, homeowners may leave their portable heating units on while running errands. Even though that trip to pick up milk might only take a few minutes, that’s more than enough time for something to go wrong (your cat might knock it over or the unit may malfunction). Therefore, turn it off before you head out the door!
Are You Using a Portable Heater Because Your Home’s Central Unit Needs a Repair?
If you run into a problem with your home’s plumbing, heating, or cooling, and prefer to forgo the DIY route, our technicians are here to help! Visit our website to learn more about the services that we offer here at Pipe Wrench Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, Inc. or call (865) 583-3957 to speak with a representative directly.
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