Tips To Help Make Using A Space Heater Safer

It wasn’t that long ago when space heaters were responsible for all sorts of tragedies, from home fires to carbon monoxide poisoning. These stories turned many people off of these portable heating devices, and they still scare people today. With new technology and increased safety precautions, there are currently many space heaters you can use without worry, as long as you know how to operate one safely.

To use a space heater safely indoors, use an electric space heater rather than one that uses fuel. Plug the heater directly into the wall, and allow ample space between the heater and any objects. Keep anything liquid and flammable far from the heater. Choose a trusted heater brand, and follow manufacturer instructions carefully. Clean and maintain your heater diligently, and never leave it unattended when turned on.

Historically, space heaters might have a bad wrap, but it is perfectly safe to use them nowadays, as long as you follow some basic safety tips. They can help keep cold parts of your home warm, and even help lower your heating bill in the winter. If you are interested in using a space heater, but are nervous, keep reading to learn everything you should do to use a space heater safely.

Five Variables That Impact How Safe Your Space Heater Is

1. The Year, Make, And Model Of The Machine

One factor that can significantly impact a space heater’s safety is the type and age of the machine. Older space heaters may not have the safeguards that modern machines have. This means they aren’t usually as safe, and accidents can happen more easily with these devices.

Older machines are also a liability because they can malfunction more easily. The newer and more trusted the machine, the less likely it will have an issue.

2. Electric Versus Fuel-Based Heaters

Electric heaters are the only machines you should use indoors. Fuel-based heaters are popular in outdoor dining establishments in the winter, which works well because outdoor spaces have good ventilation.

Electric heaters use heated coils rather than combustible fuel. In turn, they don’t emit carbon monoxide, which makes them safer to use indoors than fuel-based heaters.

3. Where On The Floor You Place The Heater

Regardless of what heater you use, it will be hot to the touch. Therefore, where you place it makes a difference. If you put it somewhere solid and flat, it will be safer than placing it on a synthetic carpet, for example.

4. Size Of The Space You’re Heating

Smaller rooms are easier to heat than big ones. This means a small room puts less pressure on a space heater than a large room does. Ensure you use the right space heater for the room size you need to heat. Remember, the larger the room, the longer it will take a space heater to warm the area. Keeping a space heater in smaller areas is ideal to use your space heater efficiently, which will help you spend less money on heat.

10 Ways To Use A Space Heater Safely Indoors

1. Use An Electric Model

When you purchase a space heater for your home, you have all sorts of options, including buying a fuel-burning space heater or a plug-in electrical one. Always opt for an electrical space heater for inside your home.

Gas or propane-run space heaters are more likely to emit poisonous carbon monoxide, and they are also more combustible, and in turn, dangerous. Electric space heaters are much safer for indoor use.

2. Purchase A Trusted Brand And Modern Heater

While electrical heaters are usually safer, that doesn't mean every electric heater can be equally trusted. Some heaters have far more safety features and fail-safes than others. Older heaters don’t always have the modern additional safety features, so it’s usually better to buy a new space heater model rather than an old one.

Read reviews and safety ratings before purchasing your heater. Spending a few extra dollars on a heater that is known for its ease of use and safety is money well spent.

3. Keep The Heater Far From Anything Flammable 

You must position your space heater far from any flammable objects before turning it on. It should rest on a hard flat surface, so there is no risk of it tipping over. Avoid placing a heater on synthetic carpet, and keep it several feet away from anything electronic or flammable. 

Remember, it’s not only the heater you need to worry about, but objects near the heater. Keeping the device a safe distance from any other items in the room will greatly improve the safety of your indoor space heater.

4. Regularly Clean And Maintain Your Heater

Like all home appliances, your space heater must be cleaned and maintained regularly. Wipe it down when unplugged, and keep it free of dust and other particles. Keeping your machine clean and well-maintained will reduce the risk of any hazardous malfunctions, and will even help prolong its lifespan.

5. Ensure Your Home Is Well Ventilated 

There must be ventilation in your home. Not only does ventilation improve indoor air quality and reduce the risk of winter allergies and mold, it also makes a space heater safe.

You want the heat from your portable heater to circulate, so the entire room (or even several rooms) warm up. If the air in a room is stagnant, high heat can concentrate, which can melt objects, and cause smoke, or worse. 

6. Never Leave A Space Heater Unattended

Perhaps the most important rule to remember when you use any space heater is never to walk away from it when it’s turned on. Even when you do all the right things, something can still go wrong when you have a heated element turned on near the floor of your home. 

Just as you wouldn’t leave the oven or stove on when you leave your home, you should never leave a portable space heater on when you aren’t there.

7. Ensure Your Carbon Monoxide Detectors Are Working

Whenever you add a heating element to the home, you must have a working carbon monoxide detector. This is particularly important in the winter, when you have all the windows shut. Since carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, the only way to know it is present is with a carbon monoxide detector.

8. Plug Space Heater Directly Into The Wall

When using an electric space heater, always plug it directly into a wall socket. Avoid using long extension cords or multi-plug extenders. It is always safest and most secure to plug these heaters directly into the wall.

For added safety, after you turn your heater off, unplug it from the wall. This will prevent you from ever turning on by mistake.

9. Keep Liquids Far Away From The Heater

In addition to keeping flammable objects away from your space heater, you must also remember to keep it away from liquids. Electronics and liquid don’t mix. Add a flammable coil to the equation and you have the recipe for an electrical fire. 

Before turning your space heater on, survey the surrounding area and ensure there are no liquids and the area around the heater is dry.

10. Read And Follow The Use Guide For Your Specific Heater

Each space heater is unique. They have different requirements, safety guidelines, and safeguards. To understand how to use your exact heater, read the user's guide before plugging it in for the first time. This will ensure you know all the safety features of your device, as well as how to properly use and maintain the space heater.

Final Notes On How To Use Your Space Heater Safely

A space heater is a great home appliance to have when you live in a cold climate. It can heat small rooms quickly, and even help you lower your heating bill in the winter by focusing warm air only where you need it. 

To ensure you use a space heater safely, always keep flammable objects and liquids a safe distance from the heater. Use an electric heater indoors instead of one that uses gas or propane, and opt for a make and model known for its safety. Never leave a space heater unattended and read the user guide before you plug it in for the first time.

Related Guides:

• 13 Ways To Spend Less On Heat In The Winter
• How Many Watts Does A Space Heater Use?
• What Types of Heaters Are Safe To Leave On Overnight?