The cold is continuing to sweep across southeast Texas and residents are working to stay warm but that could possibly come with a huge risk if you’re not careful.
Many people own portable electric space heaters however some may not know how dangerous they can be.
Over the years, the Houston area has seen dozens of fires break out because of a space heater was left unattended. Some of those fires even resulted in death.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission said that approximately 1,700 residential fires a year are caused by portable electric space heaters.
Out of that number, nearly 80 people inside those residences die as a result.
“If you have one that you hadn’t used since the last freeze, you want to check it out to make sure everything looks OK,” said Klein Fire Department District Chief Tim Vatuna. “If it doesn’t look OK, I’d recommend replacing it. It’s going to be a lot cheaper to replace this than if it does cause a fire.”
The Consumer Reports’ website lists some tips that people can do to prevent this from happening.
- Place the heater on a hard, level, and nonflammable surface. These appliances are intended to sit on the floor, not on a table.
- Establish a 3-foot kid- and pet-free zone around the heater, and never put a space heater in a child’s room.
- Keep the space heater at least 3 feet away from combustible materials, such as furniture, bedding, and curtains. A taller heater may need to be even further away.
- Don’t use a heater in a workshop or garage near paint, gas cans, or matches.
- Turn it off when you leave the room or go to bed.
- Unplug the heater when it’s not in use by pulling the plug straight from the outlet. Check the cord for damage periodically, and don’t use the heater if the cord is frayed or worn.
- Don’t plug another electrical device or an extension cord into the same outlet as a heater—that can cause overheating.
- Install working smoke alarms on every level of your home and in every bedroom, and test them monthly.
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