With the cold weather here, many of us use space heaters to help cut back with the furnace running and our oil use. They are handy but they can be dangerous if not used properly. In fact, a space heater was named the cause of the recent fire on State Street in Augusta. Here are some safety tips in using your space heater.

  • Select a space heater with a guard around the flame area or the heating element. This will help keep children, pets and clothing away from the heat source.
  • When selecting a space heater, look for one that has been tested and certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.
  • Buy a heater that is the correct size for the area that you want to heat.
  • Show everyone in your home how to use a space heater properly.
  • Keep doors open to the rest of the house if you are using an unvented fuel-burning (kerosene or natural gas) space heater.
  • Never leave a space heater on when you go to sleep or leave the area.

In 2010, heating equipment was involved in an estimated 57,100 reported U.S. home structure fires. Those fires resulted in 490 deaths, 1,540 injures and $1.1 billion in direct property damage.

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