Portable Electric Heater Safety
Portable electric heaters have some safety advantages over other kinds of heaters, but even with these units, certain risks remain. While portable heating elements pose none of the toxic-gas risks of oil-burning unvented units, they can still create a fire or electrocution hazard. Anyone considering a portable electric heating unit should take proper precautions when selecting, installing and using them, including reading and obeying all instructions included with the product. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
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Statistics
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Portable electric heaters can cause harm if left unattended or used in an unsafe manner. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, fires from electric heaters led to 2,400 deaths and 240 injuries, with property damage amounting to $48.2 million in the year of 1994 alone.
Dangers
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The heat emitted by the electric heating element can cause certain combustible or flammable substances, such as those found in fabrics, paper or certain liquids, to ignite. You should move the heater if objects close to it feel noticeably hot. Additionally, because these heaters run on electric current, they can cause electrocution if placed near a source of water such as a bathroom or a sink.
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What to Look For
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People in the market for a portable electric heater should make sure that whatever unit they buy comes with an Underwriter's Laboratory label. It indicates that the product meets modern safety standards, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. The unit should also have a device called a tipover safety switch. This switch can sense when the heater has fallen over and automatically turns it off to avoid a possible fire. Heaters with heating-element guards offer additional safety against burns.
Installation
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A portable electric heater should sit on an even surface, tucked away so that people will not walk into it as they enter, cross or exit the room. Children and pets should not have ready access to the heater. If an electric unit must sit in a room with a water source, such as a bathroom, the homeowner must make sure to attach it to a ground fault circuit interrupter to help ensure that the unit will deactivate in the event of an overload.
Use
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To protect against possible electrocution, users should never touch the unit with wet hands. The power cord should also remain visible and not tucked underneath flammable objects such as rugs or carpets. Electric heaters should run only while supervised by the room's occupants. Users should not allow a heater run while they sleep, because a fire or other dangerous malfunction is possible. A normal, sensible level of vigilance and awareness can prevent devastating property damage or injuries.
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References
- Photo Credit propane heater image by FXTW from Fotolia.com
