TIPS ON USING SPACE HEATERS
Adding a portable space heater to your cold-weather arsenal could make these bitter winter days a lot more bearable. These heaters used to get a bad rap because of safety concerns, but like many home appliances, today’s models are designed to be safer and sleeker than the heaters of old.
Never buy a used heater, Notini says: “You don’t know the history of the product or what condition it was stored in or whether it was ever dropped.”
Here are five tips:
1. Don’t leave your heater on in an unattended room.
2. Keep a metre perimeter around the unit clear. Never store clothing on or around the unit, or put it too near curtains or beds. Never cover the cord or put anything on top of it. Do not use it as a towel warmer or clothes rack.
3. Be mindful of where you plug it in. Plug space heaters directly into an outlet. Never use an extension cord or a power strip, which could overheat. And don’t plug anything else into the same electrical outlet as your heater.
4. Beware of kids and pets. Either could knock over a space heater, so be extra careful to watch toddlers or cats and dogs around your heater. Unplug it when not in use.
5. Inspect it regularly. Because you use space heaters for only a few months during the year, take a good look at your unit when you take it out for the season. Make sure that your cord isn’t damaged and doesn’t feel hot to the touch when in operation.
6. Never buy a used heater. Reasons above.