Safety Precautions for using Heaters at Home: A Guide to All Mothers

We have been hearing a lot about Heaters accidents resulting in disabilities and unfortunate deaths. But with the cold winter, it is very hard not to use a heater. So here at ELMUMS, we care about your well-being so we compiled a list of precautions for using heaters at home.

The Electrical Safety Foundation International says heating equipment is the second leading cause of home fires in the U.S. with more than 65,000 fires being attributed to them each year. The ESFI reports the fire result in hundreds of deaths, thousands of injuries and millions of dollars in property damage.

For a safe winter for everyone, beware of the wrong use of the heater whether oil or electric. So here is a list of precautions when using your heater that we collected from different places:

• Do not operate the heater in a completely closed room, and leave part of the door or window open during the operation of the heater to enter a simple airflow in the room and the occurrence of air exchange.
• Make sure your space heater has the label showing that it is listed by a recognized testing laboratory.
• Before using any space heater, read the manufacturer’s instructions and warning labels carefully.
• Turning off the heater during sleep so that it is activated before bedtime to warm the room, then it is closed when sleeping so as not to cause fires or suffocation of the sleepers.
• Never leave a space heater unattended. Turn it off when you’re leaving a room or going to sleep, and don’t let pets or children play too close to a space heater.
• Plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet is a very important point. Do not use an extension cord or power strip, which could overheat and result in a fire. Do not plug any other electrical devices into the same outlet as the heater.

  

• Place space heaters on level, flat surfaces. Never place heaters on cabinets, tables, furniture, or carpet, which can overheat and start a fire.

  

• The necessity to check the heating wire every period and replace the damaged ones. Inspect heaters for cracked or broken plugs or loose connections before each use. If frayed, worn or damaged, do not use the heater.
• The distance between the furniture and the heater in the room should not be less than one meter.
• The heater should not be placed on a wooden floor or any flammable material and placed on hard floors, such as ceramics, which is preferable. Always keep it away from anything that can burn, including papers, clothing and rugs.
• Not to use the heater to dry clothes as some people do in the winter.
• Ensure the use of heaters of good quality and conforming to specifications.
• Locate space heaters out of high traffic areas and doorways where they may pose a tripping hazard.
• Always unplug and safely store the heater when it is not in use.

  

• Install smoke alarms on every floor of your home and outside all sleeping areas and test them once a month.

  

• Read about the Ready.gov instructions if you  face a House fire at your Home. This will teach you how to save your life and your loved ones.

We wish you all safety and well-being and all your loved ones. If you have any comments or suggestions, please leave in the comment section below..