Using a Portable Heater Safely | |
We talked with the folks at Underwriters Laboratories (UL) who gave us the following advice about using these supplementary sources of heat. Underline the word supplementary - the units are not meant to replace a home heating system, they're in addition to it. Here's advise from UL: - Look for the UL mark before buying any portable air heater. - Read and follow the manufacturer's warning markings and use and care booklet completely before using an air heater. To warm a room, air heaters produce heat. Because a heater's heating elements may operate at high temperatures, there is a fire risk if the product is not used correctly. - Avoid using extension cords with air heaters. If you must use one, look in the use and care booklet to make sure you choose a cord of the right wire gauge size and type for your heater. Never use a worn or frayed extension cord or a heater with a frayed cord because it could cause a fire. - Keep the air heater's power supply cord away from high traffic areas so there's no danger of walking on top of or tripping over the cord. - Never run the power cord under a carpet, rug, or furniture. - Keep air heaters away from water. - Keep the air heater at least 3 ft. away from flammable materials, including bedding, clothing, draperies, rugs, and furniture. - Don't use a portable air heater where flammable liquids such as gasoline are used and stored because they have hot arcing or sparking parts inside. - Don't use air heaters in rooms where children are unsupervised. - Turn off your air heater and unplug it when leaving the room or going to sleep. Air heaters shouldn't be used unless they can be watched by an adult. - Like other electrical products, air heaters have one function - to provide supplemental heat. Don't use them to warm bedding, cook food, thaw pipes, or dry clothing. Written by the editors of HouseNet. Copyright HouseNet, Inc. |