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August
25, 2005
Use Caution
Around Space Heaters
If you plan to use
a space heater this winter, now is the time to make sure it is safe, a
North Dakota State University safety expert advises.
The cost of heating
homes will be much higher this winter, if rising gasoline and diesel prices
are an indicator. That means more people will be turning to space heaters,
according to George Maher, NDSU Extension Service agricultural safety
specialist.
“There are several
safety concerns in regard to the use of space heaters,” he says.
“Not all space heaters are equally safe. Some are definitely more
dangerous to use and require more care in their use than others. Not considering
these special requirements can have tragic results.”
Carbon monoxide is
one of the dangers of using a fuel-burning space heater. Whenever a fuel
burns to produce heat, it also produces carbon monoxide, a deadly, odorless,
colorless gas that is not easy to detect. Maher urges everyone to have
a carbon monoxide detector, especially anyone who uses a space heater
for supplemental heating. He says they also should remember to change
the detector’s battery regularly.
Lack of oxygen is
another issue with fuel-burning space heaters. The burning process needs
oxygen. Many people discover that supplying enough fresh, oxygen-laden
air for the heater to operate properly without losing the heat it produces
is very difficult. Homeowners never should depend on air that seeps in
through windows and doors for the ventilation that space heaters need
to run safely.
Maher also has this
advice:
- Parents need to
teach their children about the hazards of space heaters before starting
to use the heater. When in use, the outside surfaces of a heater are
very hot. This can be dangerous for toddlers and youngsters, who often
have to try touching the heater to see if it really is hot.
- Keep space heaters
away from combustible material, such as upholstered furniture, carpet,
walls with artificial brick or stone paneling, curtains, tablecloths
and wood surfaces, because the heater’s hot surfaces pose a fire
threat. Check the heater’s instructions on how far away it must
be from such materials. Otherwise, make sure the heater is at least
3 feet from combustible material.
- Shut off the heater
and allow it to cool before refueling it or replacing a fuel container.
A hot heating element can ignite propane vapors easily, and even a small
splash of kerosene on the hot heater can cause a serious fire.
- Locate fuel-burning
space heaters away from traffic patterns in the home to reduce the risk
of them being knocked over. Most space heaters are taller than they
are wide, making them very easy to tip over. Tipped kerosene-fueled
heaters can spill their fuel and cause a major fire. Propane tanks will
not spill fuel, but surging propane can cause a sudden flareup in the
flame, which can come in contact with combustible material.
- Avoid knocking
over electric space heaters. Newer electric heaters will shut off automatically
if they tip over. However, the heating element still may be hot, which
can result in a fire if it comes in contact with a combustible material.
- Be careful when
using an older electric heater because it may cause an electric shock.
- Avoid touching
the surfaces of electric space heaters because some can become very
hot.
Maher says people
usually can make a few very low-cost home improvements that will eliminate
the need for a space heater. Here are some suggestions:
- Improve the weather
stripping on windows and doors.
- Cover windows
with plastic film when the weather turns cold.
- Check the home’s
relative humidity. Dry air does not feel as warm as moist air. 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.
“However, if
you must use space heater, be sure to read and follow the instructions
and keep the fire department phone number handy,” he says.
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Source:
George Maher, (701) 231-8288, gmaher@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Ellen Crawford, (701) 231-5391, ecrawfor@ndsuext.nodak.edu
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