Never Plug a Space Heater Into These 9 Dangerous Spots
Space heaters help you Manage temporary workers In a cold room, if used properly, they can Help you save money — but they also have serious drawbacks. One of the biggest? Home heater problems The second leading cause of residential fires in the country.
We don’t recommend using space heaters entirely, especially as the weather turns nice in the winter. But we will suggest some dangerous areas to avoid. Places like this can cause a chain reaction that can lead to serious house fires: Here’s why.
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Space heaters, even ones with tip-over protection, are not suitable for placement on carpets.
1. On carpets, rugs or flammable surfaces
The space heater must not be placed on any surface that may burn or catch fire. This means you should never place it on carpet or rugs. You should also avoid using them on more delicate hardwoods or fusible vinyl, especially for long periods of time.
What if you only have carpet in a cold room? You can look for ceramic or other heat-resistant bases to place under the heater. It must be about 3 inches larger on each side than the heater itself.
2. Close to walls and furniture
Your space heater needs a safe zone: keep it at least 3 feet away from any walls or furniture to avoid burning hazards. Unfortunately, this also means you can’t place it under a table or dining table. Try aiming your space heater at these areas rather than placing the heater directly underneath them.
3. Stay close to blankets, pillows or curtains
Space heaters are at greater risk of fire if someone accidentally places a blanket or pillow on top of them, which can easily happen in the winter. The same thing will happen if the heater is pushed against any hanging curtains. Always keep all such flammable items at least 3 feet away from the heater.
To be safe, keep space heaters away from everyday objects.
4. Places easily accessible to pets or children
Space heaters can easily burn the unwary, and while many newer models automatically shut off if tipped over, a fallen space heater can still pose a serious fire hazard. Additionally, pets and children may not pay attention to where they place their toys or blankets, which may pose additional risks.
Use space heaters out of reach of young children and larger pets Inaccessible or rarely visited. Teach them to keep their distance from the heater while they are paying attention.
5. Bathroom and laundry room
Space heaters do not perform well around water, which can affect operation and greatly increase the risk of electric shock. They are also more likely to tip over in these environments.
Unfortunately, bathroom and laundry room temperatures can often reach very low levels without heating. We recommend placing a heater outside these rooms for maximum effectiveness and safety.
It’s okay to stay near a space heater, but be sure to check if it’s overloading your system.
6. Plug in with many other appliances or lights
Space heaters are a big drain on the amplifiers used in the circuit. This is usually fine with newer 15 amp household outlets, as modern space heaters are designed to work with these outlets. Managing the circuits and breakers in that room/area has its limitations.
Plugging in a space heater along with many other appliances (kitchen equipment, large entertainment systems, etc.) can overload the system. The best case scenario is that the circuit breaker flips and cuts the power. At worst, it can overheat the wires and cause an electrical fire.
Read more: 7 things you should never plug into an extension cord or power strip
This risk of overloading is also more common in the colder months, as the holidays often result in more lighted decorations being plugged in, which further increases the amplifier load on household circuits. You can reduce overall electrical load and Monitor with smart plug.
7. Plug in an extension cord or power strip (or both)
Extension cords and power strips are not necessarily rated for the wattage required by a space heater, which can increase the risk of electrical fires even if the outlets and circuit breakers can handle the heater. Plugging an extension cord into a power strip before connecting the heater only increases the danger.
If you need a heater in the middle of nowhere, look for a model with a wireless power cord. Some extension cords are designed to support higher current devices, but you have to be very careful when matching them to a heater – we want you to avoid using it entirely.
Before heating your toes, pay attention to where the heater is inserted.
8. Plug into an old or non-GFCI outlet
Ground fault circuit interrupters are a handy piece of technology that will shut off an outlet if there is a problem with the flow of electricity, especially if it appears the circuit can be completed elsewhere. It effectively protects against impacts, device overheating, and other issues. Always make sure your space heater is plugged into a GFCI outlet.
Likewise, avoid plugging the heater into an outlet that is particularly old or that has had previous problems (such as suddenly not working). This increases the risk of causing damage to the lines and starting a fire.
9. Stay near anyone with winter allergies
Space heaters are not always suitable for allergy sufferers.
winter allergy Often caused by dust, dust mites, and particulate matter that accumulates over the winter in a closed home. If the device blows hot air into the room, then this allergic reaction is not good. This is especially true if the heater or room has not been cleaned recently and there is a lot of accumulated dust around it. So if someone has particularly sensitive allergies, try to avoid using space heaters near them and see if you can find different ways to warm them.
Final tip: Never use oil heaters indoors
only Use electric or radiant heaters indoors. Never use heaters that require fuel such as kerosene, propane, or other gases in indoor spaces, including garages.
Fuel always produces off-gasses that require dedicated vents to exit the home (just like gas fireplaces). Without emitting fumes, these heaters will fill enclosed spaces with carbon monoxide, which can lead to carbon dioxide poisoning, which is the worst possible news. The exception is that some oil-filled heaters don’t actually burn oil, but this is relatively rare.
Read more: best smoke detector
Remember to turn off your space heater if you are going out or sleeping – never leave it unattended in your home. For more home safety tips, check out Dangerous mistakes homeowners make during wildfiresthis The best way to deter thieves and absolute Worst Places You Can Install Security Cameras.
