Using a Space Heater Safely<\/strong><\/h2>\nPortable space heaters are responsible for an average of 1,700 house
\nfires a year, resulting in 80 deaths and 160 injuries, according to the
\nConsumer Product Safety Commission. If you rely on a portable heater
\nduring Florida's cooler months, it's important to make space heater
\nsafety a priority. Following are tips for safe space heater operation.<\/p>\n
• Place the heater on a hard, level, and nonflammable surface.
\n• Establish a 3-foot kid-and-pet-free zone around the heater, and
\nnever put a space heater in a child's room.
\n• Keep the space heater at least 3 feet away from combustible
\nmaterials, such as furniture, bedding, and curtains.
\n• Turn it off when you leave the room or go to bed.
\n• Unplug the heater when it's not in use by pulling the plug straight
\nfrom the outlet-don't use the heater if the cord is frayed or worn.
\n• Don't plug another electrical device or an extension cord into the
\nsame outlet as a heater-that can cause overheating.
\n• A smart sensor that automatically shuts off a heater when it
\noverheats is a must. You'll also want a tip-over switch that does the
\nsame if the heater is knocked over.
\n• Most space heaters come with a cord that's 6-feet long. To prevent
\noverheating, never use an extension cord or a power strip with an
\nelectric heater.<\/p>\n
~Source: consumerreports.org<\/h6>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Using a Space Heater Safely Portable space heaters are responsible for an average of 1,700 house fires a year, resulting in 80 deaths and 160 injuries, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you rely on a portable heater during Florida's cooler months, it's important to make space heater safety a priority. Following are… <\/p>\n
\nfires a year, resulting in 80 deaths and 160 injuries, according to the
\nConsumer Product Safety Commission. If you rely on a portable heater
\nduring Florida's cooler months, it's important to make space heater
\nsafety a priority. Following are tips for safe space heater operation.<\/p>\n
\n• Establish a 3-foot kid-and-pet-free zone around the heater, and
\nnever put a space heater in a child's room.
\n• Keep the space heater at least 3 feet away from combustible
\nmaterials, such as furniture, bedding, and curtains.
\n• Turn it off when you leave the room or go to bed.
\n• Unplug the heater when it's not in use by pulling the plug straight
\nfrom the outlet-don't use the heater if the cord is frayed or worn.
\n• Don't plug another electrical device or an extension cord into the
\nsame outlet as a heater-that can cause overheating.
\n• A smart sensor that automatically shuts off a heater when it
\noverheats is a must. You'll also want a tip-over switch that does the
\nsame if the heater is knocked over.
\n• Most space heaters come with a cord that's 6-feet long. To prevent
\noverheating, never use an extension cord or a power strip with an
\nelectric heater.<\/p>\n