Every winter, thousands of families experience a home fire because of incorrect space heater use. Very sadly, some people even die in these fires. So, please – before you plug in the space heater and turn it up full blast, read these tips and use yours safely. That way, you can stay warm and safe at the same time. If you have any questions or concerns, contact Tamworth Electrician at 1800 00 2340.

1. Check the Label for Independent Certification:

Before you buy a space heater, make sure to look carefully at the labels and packaging to see that the space heater has been safety certified by an independent testing body. For example, the UL, ETL or CSA are international testing organizations that are independent of the manufacturers. This type of testing and certification ensures that you don’t have to rely on the manufacturer to tell you their space heater has been tested for safety—independent testers have done this.

2. Follow Safety Precautions on the Label

First of all, don’t buy too small of a heater to heat a large room, and don’t get a huge heater for a small room. Buy one that fits the space you need to heat. Also, be aware that there are hundreds of different kind of space heaters—some use electricity, some use natural gas or propane. You’ll need to take specific safety precautions for each of these types of power. For example, never use an electric space heater in a damp room like a bathroom. For a gas or propane heater, if you smell gas, turn off the controls, open a window and leave the room. Don’t flip on any switches or light any matches.

3. Use Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Regardless of whether you use space heaters or not, make sure your smoke detectors, fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors have fresh batteries and are fully functional. Have them tested periodically, especially during the winter.