Precautions to take when using space heaters

by Lisa Duguay, ABR, SRES 01/28/2024

Space heater safety tips  featured image

Space heaters are a convenient way to warm up and manage the temperature within your home. However, every year, thousands of space heaters are responsible for house fires. With this in mind, It’s important to exercise precaution when using these devices. 

How do I make my space heater safer?

Before purchasing a space heater, make sure it has been labeled and tested by a credible facility. These facilities test the product to make sure it follows safety guidelines. 

Place space heaters away from furniture and fabrics when in use to cut down on the possibility of the device starting a fire. Space heaters should only be used to warm a room. Don’t use them to heat food or dry clothing, and always the device and store away when not in use. 

Space heater safety features to consider

Many of the latest space heaters come with built-in features to make the device safer when in use. Consider these features when purchasing your next space heater: 

  • Some have a thermostat: This feature is helpful to monitor how hot the heater is getting. 
  • Automatic turn off: When the device warms up too much, it will turn off automatically to prevent overheating. 
  • A switch to turn off the device when overturned. 

Space heaters are an affordable way to keep your home warm no matter the season; however, it’s important to proceed with caution when using them. Don’t put them too close to other household objects, and make sure they’ve been tested for safety.

About the Author
Author

Lisa Duguay, ABR, SRES

Lisa is a sales and marketing professional with over 20 years of experience representing buyers and sellers throughout Fairfield County. Her deep understanding of local residential markets and current trends along with the exceptional local and global networking resources of Berkshire Hathaway allow her to provide the highest level of personalized, professional and confidential services to her clients. An experienced listener and negotiator, she works with her clients to thoroughly understand and achieve the results they desire. Dedicated, discreet, ethical, honest and principled, Lisa has been consistently recognized as a top producing agent and is a trusted resource within her communities. * Certified Relocation Specialist *Accredited Real Estate Buyer’s Representative (ABR) *Accredited, Senior Real Estate Specialist Council (SRES) *Member, National Association of Realtors *Member, Connecticut Association of Realtors *Member, Greater Fairfield Board of Realtors * Member, National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Lisa is a lifelong area resident who grew up in Westport and currently resides in Southport. She is actively involved as a volunteer for several local organizations including the CT Alzheimer’s Association.