Indoor Heater Safety
The careless use of indoor heaters can cause damage , injuries, fire, or even death. By using indoor heater safety precautions, you can reduce the risk of fire and injury. Does this Spark an idea?
-
Equipment Safety
-
Every indoor heater needs to be inspected before it is used. Do not use a heater that is damaged, has a worn or damaged electric cord, has a fuel leak, or that has faulty switches or knobs. State fire marshals generally advise hiring a qualified expert at least once annually to inspect your heating unit.
A Safe Distance
-
Indoor heaters need to be placed at least three feet away from all other objects. Curtains, couches, clothes and beds are just some of the things that can ignite if they are too close to an indoor heater.
-
Types of Indoor Heaters
-
Safety precautions vary with the type of indoor heater you use. The various indoor heaters include electric, propane, kerosene and wood burning stoves; be sure to read the safety warnings specific to the individual product you buy.
Considerations
-
Family members should wear close-fitting clothes around indoor heaters. This will reduce the risk of the clothing brushing up against the heater and catching on fire.
Indoor Heater Warnings
-
Fuel-burning heaters like kerosene and propane should only be used in properly ventilated areas. Cracking a window will help reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
-
References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of junichiro aoyama