HOUSTON – You never know what to expect from the weather in southeast Texas, and when it gets cold, residents might be so rushed to stay warm, they may overlook certain risks if they’re not careful.
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Space heaters are especially ideal to keep a room warm, but some folks may not know how dangerous they can be. Over the years, the Houston area has seen dozens of fires break out because a space heater was left unattended; some have even had deadly results.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission said that approximately 1,700 residential fires are caused by portable electric space heaters every year. Out of that total, nearly 80 people inside those residences die as a result.
An NBC News report also says space heaters cause about 25,000 residential fires every year.
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Consumer Reports lists some tips people can do to prevent this from happening including:
- Placing 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 the space heater 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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