NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota State University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665
October 12, 2000
With the higher costs of energy, the use of space heaters is expected to become more common as temperatures drop this fall. Safety needs to be a top priority with those heaters, according to a North Dakota State University safety specialist.
"Not all space heaters are equally safe. Some are definitely more dangerous and require more care in their use than others," says George Maher of the NDSU Extension Service. "Not considering these special requirements can result in tragic results."
Whenever a fuel is burned to produce heat, carbon monoxide is produced. This deadly, odorless, colorless gas is not easily detected," Maher notes. "Everyone should have a carbon monoxide detector in place, especially if you use a space heater for supplemental heating."
Combustion air is the air needed to allow a fuel to burn. It is a primary requirement for any space heater that burns a fuel. The burning process needs oxygen. That oxygen must always be replaced. Many operators of fuel consuming space heaters find that it is very difficult to supply enough fresh, oxygen-laden air for the heater without losing the heat that is produced.
"Home owners should never depend on infiltration air that seeps in through windows and doors for the ventilation air that is needed for the safe use of a space heater. It just isn’t enough to do the job," Maher says.
A significant danger with most space heaters is that their outside surfaces become very hot. "This can be quite dangerous for toddlers and youngsters who do not really understand the words, hot and don’t touch," he says. "They often have to try touching the heater to see if it really is hot or they challenge what they have been told, and get burned while finding out."
This ‘hot’ danger also poses a threat with combustible materials in the home. Space heaters should never be very close to any combustible material. The instructions for the space heater will tell how far the space heater should be from combustible materials. If those instructions are not available, then always maintain at least a 3-foot distance from any combustible material such as upholstered furniture, carpet, walls (other than real masonry), curtains, drapes, table cloths, wood surfaces, artificial brick or stone paneling.
The process of refueling space heaters is dangerous, too. All space heaters should be shut off and allowed to cool down before being refilled with fuel. Always shut off and cool a propane fueled space heater before fuel containers are replaced. A glowing hot element in the heater will easily ignite propane vapors.
"There isn’t any safe way to pour kerosene into the tank of space heater while it is operating. Even a small splash of kerosene on the hot heater will immediately cause a serious fire," Maher says.
Most space heaters are not very stable. Most are taller than they are wide, making them very easy to tip over. When tipped, kerosene fueled space heaters can easily spill their fuel and cause a major fire. Propane contained in the tank will not spill, but the surging fuel can cause a dangerous and sudden flare-up that could ignite near-by combustibles.
Always locate space heaters away from traffic patterns so that they are less likely to be knocked over.
"Electric space heaters have their dangers too," Maher notes. "A safer electric space heater will automatically shut off the electricity when it is tipped over. But the element may still be glowing, and that can result in a fire if it comes in contact with a combustible material." Newer units will have this automatic shut-off feature.
"Older electric space heaters that are used past their prime may present the possibility of electric shock. Some electric space heaters can cause accidental burns when touched, because they may have surfaces that get very hot," Maher says.
Usually a few, very low-cost home improvements can eliminate the use of a fuel-consuming space heater. Improving the weather stripping of windows and doors is an excellent starting point. Also, windows can be covered with plastic film. Check the relative humidity, too. Dry air does not feel as warm as moist air, so turning on the humidifier can help make a room seem warmer. But don’t overdo it; too much humidity can cause mold and other problems, he cautions.
"If a space heater must be used, be sure to read and follow the instructions and keep the fire department phone number handy," Maher says. "Always practice safety to avoid burns, fires and possibly the loss of a home."
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Source: George Maher, (701) 231-8288
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629