Dangers of Space Heaters

12/6/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Warns About the Dangers of Space Heaters When Not Used Properly

Fire does not care what season it is or whether or not its cold outside. Winter related fires are extremely common, especially when you are trying hard to keep warm. 
 
Our offices in the Matteson-Homewood area have experience in fire damage from space heaters and can provide you with some tips to help avoid having to deal with these types of destructive events this winter season. 
 
SERVPRO technicians understand that accidents happen. Placing space heaters too close to other objects or using the wrong type of heater in a particular area can cause severe problems. Please take a moment to consider some factors leading to these fires.
 
Oil Heaters - Should be used in areas where there is the possibility of moisture. This eliminates any electrical hazards that may be present due to water conductivity. Always keep a safe distance to avoid contact burns. 
 
Electric Heaters - These heaters come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be useful for many areas in your home. However, they should never be left unattended. Thinking of electric heaters as giant toasters can help you understand how important it is to keep a constant eye on them. Make sure you have sufficient wattage to run the device and never use extension cords.
 
Our SERVPRO staff gets an incredible amount of space heater-related calls every winter. People are trying to stay warm and use space heaters quite often for this purpose. However, using a space heater does not need to cause so many problems during a cold spell. Just use common sense, and always follow the directions of the manufacturer.

The professional technicians at SERVPRO state that you follow a few simple guidelines when operating your space heaters. 
 
1) Always place space heaters on a flat, solid surface for proper stabilization. 
 
2) Purchase heaters with an automatic shut-off feature to prevent dangers from tipping. 
 
3) Maintain proper spacing between heaters and other objects in your home. 
 
4) Never leave children or pets unsupervised around operating heaters. 
 
5) Shut your heaters off properly before leaving your home or going to sleep. 
 
Following these guidelines does not ensure that you will never have to deal with fire damage from space heaters. However, you are less likely to have an unwanted consequence. If this sort of incident still strikes your home this winter season, make the call to our offices immediately. We will respond quickly and provide you with the services you need to get back to normal fast. 
 
Call SERVPRO of Matteson - Homewood today at (970) 493-6335