Space heaters pose various risk factors, including carbon monoxide toxicity, fire, and dry skin. Related: Martha's Safety Tips for Holiday Decorating, Proper space heater safety starts at the store. Credit: Consumer Reports adds that as tempting as it might be, you should never use a space heater to dry or warm up clothing or shoes, as that can also pose a fire risk. Nevertheless, it does not mean that you can’t use them safely. "The wire mesh still gets hot, so kids can get burned," says Murray. "There's always a three-foot rule," says Murray; that's the minimum distance you should leave between the heater and anything that could catch on fire: furniture, drapes, your child's stuffed animal basket, your half-dead Christmas tree. Proper space heater safety starts at the store. Choose a safe product.. "If you follow the directions, like with anything else, you should be fine," he says. Learn how to minimize the spread of germs with an extra few seconds of scrubbing. Keep everything from your countertops to your dining room chairs germ-free. "Some of them have timers, but I'm not too confident with that," says Murray. Adequate safety features: Space heaters can be dangerous—according to the National Fire Protection Association, space heaters accounted for 44% of home-heating fires from 2012 to … All rights reserved. Start by carving out a designated work area in your space. Martha Stewart is part of the Meredith Home Group. Running a fuel-burning space heater in an enclosed space is a huge safety danger. As Bill Spence, a Fire Marshal in Springfield, MO, told local ABC affiliate KSPR 33, you should even unplug your electric space heater when you aren't in the room to avoid a possible electrical fire. This also makes them a dangerous choice for heating a nursery or child's room. They’re mostly caused when a heater is placed too close to … You don’t always need a flame to start a fire. Any space heater can pose a safety hazard. Use electric space heaters with automatic shut-off switches and non-glowing elements. In wintertime, they're a serious cause of fire. A lot of meticulous care needs to be focused on proper installation, usage, and maintenance to ensure that a space heater functions adequately at an optimal and safe level that doesn’t threaten the lives of your family or even coworkers. However, there are a number of other ways that space heaters can lead to accidents and injuries: Like any electrical device, they pose a shock hazard. It is always recommended that you never leave an oil heater unattended for these reasons. According to Consumer Reports, electric space heaters might be a safer choice for indoor use, as they don't emit carbon monoxide or other pollutants, but they can still pose a risk of fire if you operate them near flammable materials (like curtains, bedding, or furniture), overload an electrical circuit, or leave them unattended. skip to main contentOpen mobile menu Even with safety features marketed to prevent unsafe operating conditions, the heater can still not stay on when you are asleep. (Also read: How packaged food is actually ruining your health ) A space heater offers a quick, convenient and energy-efficient way to keep your room warm and comfortable. "Use it as it's supposed to be used." Want more tasty and festive holiday cookie recipes and tips? Be sure to download our complete guide here! The inhalation of carbon monoxide generated in an oil-filled space heater can lead to fatigue, dizziness and chest pain for people with heart disease. Place space heaters on hard, level surfaces away from walking areas. Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home! Ventless Space Heaters Hunters and recreational campers often use portable, ventless propane heaters to warm their tents or campers, occasionally resulting in serious illness or death. But if you make smart choices when buying and using your space heater, says Murray, you can stay warm safely and feel more at ease. But experts warn that if you use them to heat your home there are certain tips and tricks you should know, especially if you want to avoid making what can end up being a dangerous mistake with space heaters. These heaters cause at least 25,000 home fires a year, along with 6,000 emergency room visits, according to the Harvard University Environmental Health & … This might seem like common sense, but Consumer Reports warns parents to keep their kids away from space heaters. Get inspired to make your porch your new favorite living space with these ideas designed to add a refined look to any outdoor space. Space heaters are essentially an open heating element, comprised of super-heated metal coils. Plus, we have the scoop on that "add corn syrup to the water" myth. However, it can also be as dangerous as it is helpful, with space heaters being linked to over 25,000 house fires and 6,000 emergency room visits each year.. Space heaters are often available in electric form. While electric space heaters do not pose a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, the same can’t be said for their fuel-burning counterparts. For a safer alternative, Murray recommends radiator-style oil-filled space heaters, which don't get as hot because the heating element is enclosed. When handled properly, space heaters can help homeowners save on utility bills. With a little common sense, … While it may seem like an ideal way to keep them out of your kids' reach, they could fall or be pulled off and start a fire, become unplugged, or result in burns or other injuries. If you have more questions on "Are Space Heaters Dangerous" or would want a central heating system installed, don’t hesitate to send us a message here at Roger Stuth. As temperatures drop, here are 10 things you need to know: Give the heater some space. 12 Festive Family Menus to Get You Through This Holiday Season, Learn How to Keep Your Christmas Tree Fresh for the Entire Month of December, Quick, Easy, and Delicious Pasta Recipes Ideal for Weeknight Dinners, How to Hang a Wreath Without Making Holes in the Door, The Best Front Porch Decorating Ideas for Every Month of the Year, How to Disinfect Your Kitchen and Your Food During the Coronavirus Outbreak, According to Experts, How to Keep Your Houseplants Happy in the Winter, How to Wash Your Hands Properly, According to a Doctor, How to Plan a Beautiful, Meaningful Micro Wedding So That You Can Celebrate Your Postponed Nuptials Right Now, Six Ways to Take Care of Your Mental Health While You Work from Home, Nassau County Firefighters Museum and Education Center, functioning smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. The real problem with space heaters is using them inappropriately or carelessly. They also advise avoiding gas and propane heaters that don't vent to the outside, and installing carbon monoxide detectors to alert you to this danger that you can't see or smell. Keep your space heater at least THREE feet away from anything flammable. About 25,000 house fires and 300 deaths are attributed to space heaters each year. Investing in a portable space heater may seem like a cheap and easy way to warm up a chilly room or cut down your heating bill come winter, but they also come with a bad reputation. When you need a comforting meal but don't have a lot of time, whip up one of these fast pasta recipes. Forgetting About Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors. But because they aren't vented to the outside, like your gas or propane furnace or fireplace, they can release harmful gases into the air like carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen dioxide, which can cause symptoms like headaches, coughing, sleepiness, and even death. You likely wash your hands several times a day, but are you doing so effectively? Electric room heaters do help in warming the room and making you feel cozy but they also come with side effects that cause many illnesses. And whether you use a space heater or not, Murray stresses the importance of having functioning smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, plus a home escape plan. Getty / Westend61. This is because they are a fire risk. However, they can be as dangerous as they are convenient if used improperly. This can lead to fire accidents. Although electric space heaters avoid indoor air quality concerns, they still pose burn and fire hazards and should be used with caution. According to the National Fire Protection Association, space heaters cause 43 percent of home heating fires each year, which are the second leading cause of fire-related deaths. They can be a fire hazard. Instead, it's best to not use one if you can't keep your kids a safe distance away. 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