According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, portable electric heaters are involved in hundreds of fires per year. Here are some safety tips to share with your family.
- Never operate a heater you suspect is damaged. Before every use, inspect the heater, cord and plug for damage. Follow all operation and maintenance instructions.
- Visit www.cpsc.gov or www.recalls.gov to see if your electric heater has been recalled. If it has, stop using it and follow the manufacturer’s directions for repair or replacement.
- Never leave the heater operating while unattended – or while you are sleeping.
- Keep combustible materials such as beds, sofas, curtains, papers and clothes at least three feet from the front, sides and back of the heater.
- Be sure the heater plug fits tightly into the wall outlet. If it doesn’t, use another outlet to power the heater.
- During use, frequently check to determine if the heater’s plug or cord – or the wall outlet – is hot. If any of them are, immediately discontinue use of the heater. If the cord or plug is hot, replace the heater or have it inspected and repaired by an authorized repair person. If the outlet is hot, call an electrician to check and/or replace the wall outlet.
- Don’t power the heater with an extension cord or power strip.
- Ensure that the heater is placed on a stable, level surface and is located where it cannot be knocked over.
- Never run the heater’s cord under rugs or carpeting. This can damage the cord, causing it and nearby objects to burn.
- To prevent electrical shocks and electrocutions, always keep electric heaters away from water – and never touch an electric heater if you are wet.
